Forever Yours: Part 8

Title: Forever Yours

Author: Noelwing

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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: Hello everyone. It has been a very long time since I updated. To those who were kind enough to check in I give you my profound thanks. The last several have been very trying for me emotionally. As a result my writing was greatly impacted. But it is still my wish to continue on with this story. So please enjoy this next chapter. Again, I appreciate all of you out there who hung in there with me.

Chapter 8: Healing

Wink stood, sniffing the air pensively. His every instinct told him that something was not right. Also, there was no sign of Sophia. She had not been gone too long but Wink was beginning to regret letting her go off on her own.

The sound of something approaching and the scent of blood in the air piqued Wink's last nerve. The troll warrior stood ready to fight.

He stood down when he saw that it was not an enemy but Sophia, surprisingly followed by Nuada, who came into view.

Wink's relief quickly turned to shock when he saw the state of Sophia. Her face was pale and stained with dirt. A dark bruise colored the left corner of her lips. Her hair was a mess, her tresses tangled with leaves and twigs. Her bodice had rips and tears, the worst being her left shoulder where the torn fabric was soaked through with blood.

"Oh Lady," Wink said in his guttural, troll voice. "What happened to you?"

"Wink," Sophia croaked before losing what strength her legs had left, and crumpling to the ground.

Wink went quickly to her. "My Lady," He said hovering over her.

"I…I'm alright," Sophia raised her head quickly. "I just need to rest a moment." She breathed in fast, shallow pants.

Wink turned his attention to Nuada "Your Highness, what did this to her?" The troll demanded.

"A Skin-walker," Nuada replied grimly.

The spines on Wink's back shivered and a growl erupted from the Troll's throat. He had had no idea that such a dangerous and savage predator were in the area.

"Wink be calm, it is gone." Nuada said, putting a hand on Wink's metal fist as he spoke.

"Gone? Skin-walkers only walk away from corpses." Wink cast a glance down at Sophia who was beaten but clearly not defeated.

"And just where did you come from?" Wink said making note that Nuada only carried his weapons but lacked his battle armor. "Surely you were not just out taking a stroll?"

"Do not be absurd," Nuada huffed. "I will explain in minute."

Wink was ready to protest Nuada's delay. But then the prince did something that left wink completely dumbfounded.

Nuada leaned over Sophia. "Can you get up?" He whispered.

Sophia whispered her ability to do so. She stood, and without any protest from her, Nuada wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her walk the short distance over to the fire. He helped her sit down just as gingerly.

Wink could swear his lower jaw was sitting on his chest. Just what exactly was going on here?

"Try not to look so astonished," Nuada retorted to Wink's gawking.

Wink shrugged his massive shoulders with an even more massive sigh. "Will you please tell me what happened now? If you know the culprit is a Skin-walker then you must have saved her from it."

"Alas no, Sophia saved herself." Nuada then recounted all that had transpired. In doing so he also answered Wink's question as to why he was even in the woods to begin with. He told Wink that he was actually seeking him when he heard Sophia scream (though he did not know it was her at the time). However, Nuada omitted the fact that the scream in woods reminded him of his nightmare.

Wink listened in awe while Nuada told him of Sophia's brave and haughty defense against her attacker. The troll did not know what he would have liked to have seen more: Sophia chasing the beast away or Nuada becoming the target of Sophia's rage.

Wink was impressed and believed every word of Nuada's account. Yet, looking at her now, sitting so placidly by the fire, it was hard for Wink to imagine he attacking anyone with the ferocity and vigor Nuada had described. She looked so forlorn and vulnerable.

Vulnerable especially. Wink and Nuada knew well that Skin-walkers were notoriously vengeful creatures. Most likely, this ordeal was not over yet.

"Sire, we can't let that thing get away with this. If that Skin-walker is part of a clan than undoubtedly it well tell its cohorts what happened."

Nuada nodded. "She has been able to defend herself once already. But if the creature comes back, I doubt she could fight it again." Nuada spoke quietly. He had no wish to frighten his charge with the possibility that she was still in danger.

There was no question about it, both warriors knew it was best to find the skin-walker and put it down as quickly as possible. It was a fitting punishment for one who dared to harm one under Prince Nuada's protection.

Even if that person were a human. It made no difference.

Nuada's blood rushed. Nothing invigorated the prince more than a hunt. Wink felt the same desire as the prince. This hunt was also a chance for the two of them reconnect as they had been estranged the last few days. Wink still did not agree with Nuada's wish to fight the dark elemental, but perhaps a hunting trip together might help to clear the air between them.

A soft moan form Sophia caused them to reign in their excitement. Sophia could not be left alone in such a wounded state. One of them would have to stay behind and look after her.

"Wink, you best hurry and get after the Skin-walker before the trail gets cold. I will remain and see to our charge."

Wink could not believe what he had just heard. Did Nuada just volunteer to look after Sophia?

Wink was not sure if he liked the prospect of Nuada looking after their human guest. Of course the troll believed Nuada when he said he would do so. The question though was to how well.

"Alright then," Wink agreed tentatively. "I will try and be back as soon as I can. Though, that depends on how fast my prey decides to show itself."

"Just be careful, that is all I ask. Although-"

"Do not worry. As soon as I return the two of us may speak. That is if you can prove to our lady friend that an elf can be just as gracious a host as a troll."

Nuada smirked. "In that case, I shall view this as a challenge. I shall meet every standard you have set and much higher. You wait and see."

Wink chuckled. "Indeed." he said poking Nuada in the chest with a mechanical finger.

Sophia remained hunched over by the fire. Cold sweat covered her skin and her limbs felt numb. Cedric had taken to clinging to the front of her bodice on the way back. He had recovered enough now and dropped into her lap.

The tooth fairy looked up with his tiny black eyes. His name giver looked down at him but the fairy did not think she saw him. Immediately the fairy began to feel neglected-maybe if he bit her she would pay attention to him.

"Do not even think about it," Nuada's deep voice commanded.

Cedric's entire frame slumped and he gave Nuada a sheepish look. Nuada shook his head before kneeling down. He offered Cedric his hand which the little creature accepted. Nuada gently stood up with Cedric in hand.

He looked the tiny creature over, trying to discern if it was damaged. "You are alright," He whispered. "You fly away now," With that, he tossed Cedric into the air and the chipper creature flitted away.

Wink stepped closer to her and gently tapped her back with one of his flesh fingers. "Sophia," Wink beckoned softly.

Sophia could just barely here the troll's gruff voice. Grimacing, she raised her face to him. Her face was pale white and contrasted dramatically against her dark, brown hair.

"I go to find the one who did this to you. I shall not take too long, I hope. Until then, his highness will look after you. Do not worry," Wink said encouragingly, "Unlike the Skin-walker, his highness does not bite."

Nuada snorted indignantly "Wink, I think it is time for you to go."

Wink shrugged his massive shoulders. "I'm just trying to help." The troll chuckled as he set off on his mission.

Nuada said nothing. He briskly shook his fist at the troll which only encouraged his chuckling. The thought occurred to Nuada to display another kind of hand gesture he had seen humans use when bestowing insults. But why continue to encourage Wink.

Sophia watched Wink disappear into the woods not understanding why he would go after her attacker: a Skin-walker, Wink had called it. She was very confused by Wink's course of action. Did Wink truly intend to destroy one of his own? A fey just like him?

"We need to return to the sanctuary as soon as possible. Can you ride?" Nuada asked standing over her.

Sophia inhaled deeply and willed her body to move. "I think so," She said trying to hide her discomfort. "Marcus will come when called."

"How is that done?" Nuada asked.

Sophia smiled. "Just whistle. I'm sure he'll come to you."

Nuada nodded his head and put two fingers to his lips. The elf let out a shrill whistle that resounded through the wood. It was not long at all before the proud stallion came trotting to him.

Sophia used the opportunity to get to her feet while Nuada was distracted by Marcus. Getting to her feet sent arrows of pain through her injuries. Now she had to get on the horse. This was not going to be easy.

Nuada waited for the woman to come over to the horse. She was pale and sweat continued to form on her brow. His eyes went to the bite on her shoulder and concern began to form in the pit of his stomach. It was important that he treat that wound as soon as possible.

"Come, we must hurry." Nuada implored.

Sophia did not need to be told twice. Like Nuada, she too wanted to get back to the cathedral. But first she had to get on the horse.

Nuada held the reigns waiting for Sophia to get on the horse. She placed one foot into the stirrup and with obvious effort, pulled her self up into the saddle. Nuada could see her pain just as he could see her efforts to conceal it.

Sophia gritted her teeth trying to keep the grunt of pain back. Her hands were raw and bleeding and the bite to her shoulder began to sting. It felt as though dozens of needles were being driven into the wound. She hurt so much that she only had strength enough to get into side saddle position.

Nuada did not wait for her to right herself. He leapt onto the horse and seated himself behind her. He ignored her gasp of surprise, now was hardly the time to be concerned with personal space. He positioned one arm behind her back and the other in front of her.

"Come, let us be off," He said, again the same tone of urgency in his voice.

It was strange being so close to Nuada and having his arms around her, but she was grateful. His left arm behind her back provided much needed support and she leaned (not too much she hoped) into that arm enabling her to relax a little.

As much as she tried to concentrate on the path ahead of them, she could not help but to steal glances at Nuada. She had become accustomed to his otherworldly features but only now did she realize that she was no longer frightened by them.

The first time she had ever encountered him, he looked so fierce, she thought him a demon. Not so now. If it wasn't his eyes she looked at, it was the line, the scare that cut horizontally across his face. It was obviously not a battle wound. The mark was too precise; it had to have been done on purpose. Or was it done with purpose?

Her musings were interrupted by a deep, stinging pain in her shoulder. It spread through her whole body. It happened so suddenly and she was frightened.

"What is it?" Nuada asked, alarmed at her sudden distress.

"My shoulder," She took a deep breath and waited for the pain to pass. "It hurts so much." She looked at Nuada with helpless eyes.

"Do not be frightened. The adrenaline that enabled you to fight that creature was also suppressing your pain. But that is beginning to wear off now. Just be strong, it will pass."

Sophia clenched her teeth and concentrated on her breathing. The more she focused on her breath, the more it seemed that she was bale to breathe the pain away. After a few more minutes, the pain subsided, just like Nuada said it would.

But she was still in a great state of discomfort. Her muscles were aching and her limbs felt so tired. She felt miserable and it was all because of that creature.

"Why did it attack me?" She asked pitifully. "I was just collecting firewood. How could I have possibly have provoked it."

Nuada shook his head. "No lady, you are not at fault in any way. That creature attacked you because that is what it does. A Skin-walker is a being born from the vengeful spirits of forest animals and negative energies.

"Its very nature is to hate, cause pain and nothing else. I have no love for such beings."

Nuada lowered his gaze to her. "That is why Wink is off to do away with the beast. A message must be sent to any and all other Skin-walkers, if they are out there, that an attack on one under royal guard will not be tolerated."

"That creature kept saying I was weak. I became so angry." She inhaled deeply trying to calm the physical feelings stirred by the memory of that anger. "I had no idea that anger could make me do such a thing."

Nuada could sympathize with her. His mind drifted far back in time to the great wars that humans and elf-kind had once fought. The want to survive sometimes forced people, human and fey alike to do things they otherwise believed themselves incapable of doing.

Like Nuada, Sophia too, slipped back into her own thoughts. Nuada said the Skin-walker was a creature born of hate and was only capable of hate and negativity. It was not within a Skin-walker's nature to choose better or aspire to higher qualities.

In her heart, she pitied such a being.

The rest of the trip back to the cathedral was quiet. The trees cleared and they entered the familiar grounds of the old cathedral. Marcus' foot falls went from soft to loud as they crossed over earth and onto the hard, flagstone floor.

Nuada gave a slight tug on the reigns, bringing Marcus to a stop. "Good horse," He said with gratitude. Marcus, ever the proud stallion, arched his neck and neighed enthusiastically.

Nuada dismounted first and helped Sophia do the same. She lowered herself into Nuada's arms and relied on his support till her feet touched down. She was wobbly after the ride on horse back but she was able to stand.

Nuada escorted her back to the lily pond in the cathedral's courtyard and to the fountain's edge. The water here was clean and he would need plenty of it. But first, he had to fetch his healing supplies.

"I need to retrieve a few things from my supplies. Wait here, I shall not be long."

Sophia watched Nuada disappear off to some unknown part of the cathedral. She decided to use the time to get out of her completely ruined gown. She kicked off her shoes and unhooked the skirts. Both her petticoat and skirt were torn and tattered. Once she had the cumbersome garments off, she tossed them to the ground-so much for hoping her clothes would last her longer.

Undoing the buttons on her bodice proved to be defeating. The buttons were pulled tighter than usual (Sophia was not wearing her corset, therefore the garment was even tighter) and unfastening them was further aggravating her already, tender finger tips.

Just why did women's clothing have to be so difficult to get in and out of? She thought with great frustration.

She also noticed that her hair was completely free. She gasped and began raking her fingers through her hair. She realized with a sinking feeling that her tortoise shell hair comb was gone.

Her hands fell dejectedly to her sides. The comb must have fallen out of her hair while she was fighting the Skin-walker. It was gone. That comb had once belonged to her mother.

"Are you alright Sophia?" Nuada had just returned to the fountain area when he noticed Sophia fretting.

Sophia sighed. "Oh nothing, I am just having trouble with this wretched bodice." She fidgeted with the buttons to demonstrate her frustration.

'Just forget about the comb. No use worrying about it' she told herself. It was gone forever-just like her mother.

Nuada shrugged off the satchel he had returned with and placed it next to the fountains edge.

"Here," he said softly. "Let me help."

Sophia nodded and let Nuada undo the buttons. There were nearly a dozen tiny closures on the garment. Nuada could not understand why human women thought burying themselves in drapery and constrictive garments fashionable.

When he had the bodice opened, Sophia shrugged it off and cast it to ground with the ruined remains of her gown. She was left now just wearing the sleeveless under-gown. To his relief, she neither shied away from him nor fidgeted under his gaze.

With the bodice off, the full extent of her injuries were revealed to him. He grimaced at the contrast of her red blood smeared all over her pale skin. The shoulder strap of her undergarment was frayed and soaked through with blood. The bite was deep and jagged.

"Is it very bad?" Sophia muttered.

Nuada's gold eyes flashed to her for a moment then back to the wound. "It could have been much worse." He said matter-of-factly. Sophia did not disagree.

Nuada instructed her to sit down while he prepared what he would need. Sophia did as he asked, a sigh of fatigue passing her lips as she did. She watched quietly while Nuada pulled fourth several strips of fabric, bandages she presumed, and several small phials filled with colored liquids out of the satchel. Lastly, he pulled out a simple, yet beautiful, mixing bowl.

What drew her in more was the confidence he had in all that he was doing. He went swiftly about selecting which phials would be needed and mixing their contents into the bowl. He performed each task as though he had done them a dozen times before.

"The salve is ready," He said unexpectedly. "But I need to clean your wounds first."

"Alright," She figured as much was necessary.

Nuada sat down next to her on the fountain's edge. He placed the bowl, now filled with a greenish looking liquid, at their feet along with several cloths. He selected a strip of cloth and dipped it into the water.

The cloth became thoroughly water-logged and he with drew it from the water. Fat drops of water dripped from the cloth and slipped through Nuada's fingers. He positioned the cloth over her shoulder and squeezed.

Sophia gasped when the first gush of water hit her hot, injured skin. She quickly calmed as the cold water began to numb away the sting.

The water went from clear to pinkish-red as it mixed with her blood and washed it away. The left strap of her under-gown was completely soaked through, almost to the point of translucency. Still, Nuada repeated the pattern until the drops of water rolling off from the wound ran clear.

The physical world around her seemed to blur and fade away. She did not see the waning afternoon nor hear the gurgling of the fountain. All her senses were focused on the other worldly being and the contact he bestowed upon her.

He repeated the same motion with her hands and wrist as he had with her shoulder. He wrung a heavily damp cloth over her wounds until the water ran clear of blood. The two of them were quiet and Sophia fell under the spell of his breathing-audible but soft and so rhythmic.

Any pain she had initially felt, Sophia was far removed from now. The water had soothed the sting away completely and cleaned a great deal of the sweat and grime away from her skin. Her feelings of comfort were heightened when Nuada, ever so gently, used a dry cloth wipe away the dampness from her skin, leaving it thoroughly clean.

Nuada applied the salve to her wrist. His white fingers dabbed the green, jelly like substance onto the injured skin. The salve's (Sophia could only wonder what it was concocted from: some magical formula: perhaps) affects could be felt almost immediately. Warm tingling sensations crept into her wounds, spreading deeper and deeper.

She could not control the shivers the crept up and down her spine. Nor could she stop the swoon that threatened to overcome her every time Nuada's hands touched her skin.

Nuada assumed it was shock, or perhaps fatigue that accounted for Sophia's placid state. It certainly made his task a great deal easier. The entire time he tended her, she neither cringed nor flinched. Even now as he applied the bandages, she remained calm.

He had secured the last bandage leaving only one last thing to do: clean her face.

Sophia had watched, almost absent mindedly while he bandaged her shoulder, hands and right wrist. Her mind felt fuzzy and her body wonderfully warm-the type of warm one felt when wrapping up in a fluffy blanket after coming in from the snow.

She thought, wistfully, if he were using some kind of magic on her. Was it a spell or an enchantment?

It was no enchantment. No dream. The feeling her his hands cradling her face, the touch of a cool, damp cloth to her cheek, was too real; too intense to be a dream.

Nuada held her face while he dabbed away smudges of dirt. Even cleaned, the bruised side of her face looked awful. However, he had just enough salve left to take care of it.

He looked away for a moment dipped two white fingers into what was left of the green hued salve. When he turned back, he saw tears running down her face.

"Sophia, what is wrong?" He asked gravely. "Have I hurt you?"

She deftly shook her head. "No you haven't hurt me." She brushed the tears off of her face with her other hand.

"You're being so gentle." She whispered.

Nuada dabbed the last bit of salve to her face. His normally proud shoulders slumped as though the shroud of guilt had come over him. With his right hand, the one he used to apply the salve, he now used to cup her face.

He felt her tears underneath his hand as well as the warmth of her face. A single, stray tear emerged from her eye. Using his thumb, he brushed it away.

"I understand if you think me and my kind monsters." He sighed audibly. "It is only right of course. I kidnapped you, even threatened to kill you. The Skin-walker savagely attacked you and only because you there. And you were completely undeserving of any of it."

For one moment, she was very, very still. Then, ever so softly, Sophia leaned her face into his hand. Her left hand floated up into the air to cover the back of his hand, securing it to her face.

Her gray eyes looked deeply into his amber ones. "Nuada, as horrible as your intentions originally were towards me, you still chose a different path."

"Yes, I bargained with you because I truly had no desire to harm you. I regret my initial treatment of you. More now than ever, because of the nature of your husband that you have described to me."

Nuada's stomach curled to think what might have happened had he murdered Sophia. Not only would he have lost any hope of regaining the spear, possibly forever, he would have only benefited the human who withheld it from him. Nuada would be left with only a hopeless quest and more blood on his hands.

Sophia could feel the warmth of Nuada's hand. She inhaled a deeply, greatly relaxed by the comfort that hand now afforded her. "You are no monster Nuada, not to me. A true monster regrets nothing."

Nuada brushed his thumb over her cheek again. "What has happened to you to give you such insight?" His hand slid down from her face, her own hand falling away as he did. His hand floated down and came to rest over her heart.

He pressed his hand, only hard enough to feel the beat of the heart just underneath. "What pains does this heart carry, I want to know."

Sophia nearly sobbed. "It is a long story and I fear I've not the strength to tell it."

Nuada smiled and bowed his head to her. He then brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. "I have time to hear it. I promise to wait until you have the strength to tell it. But now, you must rest."

Sophia's eyes shone with the last of her tears. Yes, rest; that is what she needed. Later, Sophia lay down in the main chamber of the cathedral. She rested with the memory of the horrid Skin-walker far behind her and the knowledge that Nuada looked after her.

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