Sanctuary Chapter 4

Goodbyes

Angst but action will be coming up! Thank you to fictionmania and A for Apple.

Nuada sighed. Come from behind without warning. "I have to go there. Do you have pen and paper?" He used that to make a nicer copy par excellence artist. I felt teary but told myself not to be selfish. Good humans aren't selfish. We were each engrossed in our own worlds. No doubt my friend was thinking of stage 2.

The elf opened his shirt. Since when did his wound reopen? I cursed. The other time I had not seen the color up close. Honey trickled from his chest. He collapsed into a chair.

"I am sorry I frighten you with my intensity," he gasped, breathing hard. I went to the phone to call Joe. Nuada told me not to panic. He whispered something to ease the pain. Bluish light emanated from his hand.

I held a cloth to the wound. Everytime I have a friend, I end up losing the person. Like mum and dad. Why do I open myself to pain and suffering?

"Do I scare you?" Nuada whispered, eyes closed. I was definitely freaking out- should I find penicillin? Natural medicines were necessary.

"No. Try to hold still. When did it seep out again?" I asked voice rising. Keep talking don't faint.

"Your mind is full of panic that you will lose me. I won't die that easily. I still have many things to accomplish.."

"Like?" I sniffled.

He did not speak anymore, faint line on his brow.

"Your highness. I'm sorry to be selfish. I don't want you to go."

The prince almost stopped breathing. He had conserved all his energy and when he regained consciousness, his lips were blue. It seemed like time had paused. Then Joe shut the door, running in. "God! What happened?"

We helped him to the couch. Deep sigh. "I don't know. I just felt weak and blood flowed out. I'm fine now," the elf answered.

I could not speak. Everything I knew and ever loved crashing around me. Joe asked that we talk alone for a while. Nuada nodded.

"Laira what happened? Why are you crying?" In the library, I wept freely.

"He found it. And he's going to leave. I- can't."

Joe took me by the shoulders. "You saw how ill he is. We can't keep him here. Remember Indiana, the treasures must go back where they belong. Same to fey… I know it hurts. I warned you when you wanted to save him. Laira, love hurts."

"No. I don't want- I cannot." Joe held me. Something I had not felt for a long time. Finally I calmed down.

He slept peacefully, the ichor coloured lifeblood stain on the bandage. Did I scare you? he had asked.

You have never scared me. I like you.

Nuada stirred, some of his hair flopping over his face and concealing the ritual scar. "Are you alright? You look dishevelled."

I shook my head. "Child, I should have left earlier. I do not wish to wound you. Only my people can save me. I long for the forests again. They refresh my spirits," the elf said. His tone wavered.

I looked outside. Meanwhile would our green patch do? We had some grass at the porch which mum had left to us. "You need transfusion. I'll call an ambulance."

"No! Not that place, please. Outside, I want to feel the grass."

Joe shook his head muttering that this was nuts. Did he feel sad too? Nuada pressed a hand to his chest. A small gasp. My brother draped his other arm across his shoulders. He looked better lying on the grass. The ichor blood stopped and his lips went back to normal color. His amber pupils still glazed and unfocused though. I took the potted plants and placed them near him.

Nuada's damp hand on mine. I could not look at him.

"I am in your debt- this garden has helped a little. But I am running out of time." He sounded incredibly fatigued and soft. Joe knelt close by and supported his head up.

"Your Highness we understand. We'll help you whichever ways necessary."

Nuada Silverlance smiled. He slept again.

I went indoors to get some sleep as well. Not possible he would run off in this state. But I did not predict that he wanted to talk the next morning.

*****

When I spilled some water for the grass, the elf beckoned to me. How long had he been awake?

"Any news of your father?" caught me by surprise, so out of the blue.

"No. He doesn't care."

"Laira, I did not know you feel so- emotional. Come sit down. Please. " I crossed my legs and joined him on the grass.

Silence. I could hear our heartbeats. "Nuada, did you hear what I said? About not wanting you to go."

The white blond head nodded. He did not speak. The wind blew my hair.

I continued, "Why do you hate us humans? Do you still loath us now?"

Nuada replied, with a bitter smile, "A deep question. Yes, I have always hated them. My homeland destroyed. Sacrifices of the fey, the reluctance and inability to adapt to the poisons men have released. The mistakes your ancestors had made. I cannot forgive them. Nightmares of my past mistakes, blood spilled could not appease my fury. My friends who had fallen-

"But what you've done for me- at first I did not believe. The time here has changed my- decision. We are friends. And that is why the departing makes you sad. I am sorry." He turned directly, golden eyes so emotionally raw. His face blurred.

"As much as I can't bear it, -- But you have to. Or it will be too much for you. Do you need anything?" I blurted, looking at my shoes.

The elf sighed. If he had touched me, I would have clung to him and never let go. I was stupid to be so attached. Return them to where they belong. "I will require blades, scimitars and daggers. My clothes will be fine."

"We'll give you a couple," Joe said.

"Many thanks." Nuada surveyed our collection of scimitars and sabres. My brother collected them as a hobby and sometimes we found a few during some dynasty. He lifted one with a dragon etched into the pommel and flicked the sword up and down. The metal zinged. Cool. He asked Joe what their names were and reverently spoke their names.

"Justice. Moonlight." He said in elven. As he lifted them and swung them in graceful arcs as a dance, Nuada Silverlance was in his element. No hesitation. He would succeed where no one would. I felt a fierce gladness for him. Joe grinned.

"Any chance you can teach us when you've done your quest? This isn't goodbye forever, man."

The elf smiled and sheathed them. He also selected daggers. "I will be happy to. It is a promise."

"You will come back? Or we can go into the feylands?" Joe asked.

"No, it is far too dangerous for mortals to venture there. When things are better, I will find you. Laira does that please you?" he asked, looking at me. Noble warrior. I hugged him. Felt his shock at the sudden contact. His hand rested on my head.

He agreed that he would rest for today and set out tomorrow. Even though the prince would return, my heart still ached. But I watched him, as he read a book on mythological animals in my room. One last time- I was of two worlds. I didn't trust myself to speak.

At length, the elven lord studied a painting on the wall. It was a jigsaw I had pieced together of gnomes, pixies and King Oberon. When I was in high school, I saved up to buy it and spent months laboring until I got it together. To commemorate that, I glued it and mounted. Why was he studying it so intently?

Prince Nuada didn't seem in a chatty mood, standing with his back to me. Wearing the shirt that dad used to wear, a cobalt blue polo.

Abruptly, his voice said, "What gave you the idea to lay me on the grass?"

"I- I got scared. But I understand from your stories, that you miss nature. It is enchanting, almost surreal to hear you weave stories that meant so much for you. We don't exactly have a forest here so that was the next best thing," I answered in a monotone.

Nuada nodded approvingly. I was almost out the room when he commented, "Not all of you have forgotten." I stayed to hear the rest of this deep thought. Now he spun around, his smile very warm. Not bitter like in the morning. "It is the first time that mortals have shown some insight and selfless behaviour for an elf. Why did you cry?"

Need he ask? His gaze lingered on mine hotly, and once he blinked.

"You are my friend. And I- yours. Right?" I said trying to laugh. Thankfully Nuada did not say anymore, humming under his breath as he settled down to read again. This time, he selected a war strategy – the english version of Sunzi's war strategies.

Looking at Justice and Moonlight gleaming on the table, I ate my meal silently. Would he ever come back as promised? "No doubt," Joe remarked.

He could read me? I stared at him. "Fey don't break promises. I know you want it. Just tell him. Plus I wanna get free lessons how to use these babes." He waved at the array of his babies. "Gonna include a belt of daggers. Found them in Peru." Joe did not feel perturbed at all. Lucky dude.

Joe happily announced this news to our guest. Nuada brushed his hand over the weapons.

"May I know ,what if you bleed again? Is your time limited? Your life?" I did not want this to be true. He was going to charge into danger. Being dangerous and a wounded elf alone there.

Nuada said, "We are not immortal. I was woken by my goddess yet I don't heal. Mayhap it is a sign of divine right? What is the word you use?"

"Fate."

"Precisely. Time grows short. I will try my utmost to live, my friends." Left unspoken was a huge question mark- if I die, don't grieve for me. I got up and shut my bedroom door. My heart hurt so much and I couldn't control my flow of emotions. Usually I am levelheaded. But I couldn't.

And Nuada didn't come to console me. Expected, since displays of affection were not welcome. He felt awkward and stiff everytime I hugged him and his evident non-reaction to my sadness.

Prince Nuada

Although I did not say it aloud, I understood their loyalty and utmost concern for me. I had almost died. It came to me again- why did I hate them? I lost the energy and direction my hatred had spun. The old ones, their ancestors had hurt our people and driven out the lands. Some humans are kind. Not my friends.

Yes I wanted you to know them, my prince. The goddess Ariadne whispered again. I felt the shivers. You will undergo tribulations. No doubt your courage and self preservation will serve you, but don't forget that your life is changed now. Sleep and peace be with you.

I reached my hand instinctively into the air. My breath misted. Wait. I need a sign, a clue. What of my fate? I made a promise that I will return. Help me.

No answer. It was evening. I joined them for the last dinner. Laira was unusually quiet. I wanted to say something light, even join them for a comedy. And I would try to laugh. Once more like in the afternoon, she hid in her room. Why did she leave? Didn't she say not to go? My ears detected crying.

Damn, I should not have told her of my own mortality. What had possessed me to be so crude? I touched my chest again, the vestiges of agony knawing. A wave of dizziness overcame me that I sought a chair.

Brother! You are all right.

Nuala! Is your chest bleeding? I can't heal.

No I don't. Where are you? she shouted. Her voice seemed weak.

Living with 2 mortals. I do not know the place. I think I have the seal to underground fey lands. Can you hear me or see? She should be able to see where I was, we always found each other. Nuala!

But now that ceased. I tried again and again, but ended up drained. The mythology book fell on the floor. Tomorrow I would have to look. This city was huge. I prayed to whoever would hear me from above. And there was the matter of my strange white skin. People would catch me. I needed to be elusive. Glamour was necessary.

I flipped open a volume and memorized a phrase for glamour. It would last for the day. I wanted to wake up early and leave without them noticing. The weapons were all right, strap them on my belt, and I still had my boots.

Normally I could sense if someone came within range of ambush, but I was engrossed in my thoughts. Laira said, "Can we come?"

I shook my head. "Too dangerous. Tonight you sleep on your bed. I will take the chair."

She grunted something. Another language which was unknown to me. No arguments. I went to sleep early promising myself it would be just a few hours. I tried to contact my sister again, and I saw her fine and as pretty as ever in my dream. Blue waters, fountain and the seal loomed before me.

Dawn. I padded past the sleeping figures thinking farewell. Joe snored from his room. Thank you. I will find a way to return your babies, I whispered in elven. Took the sabre and scimitar and hooked them on my belt. I tied my hair back and recited the glamour spell. In black, I would not stand out.

Looking in the mirror a human face stared back at me. Good, it works. Then a figure came into view. I started.

She had been waiting all this time, a dagger in her hand. And dressed to run off. "What are you doing? Go to sleep."

She glared at me. "I ain't leaving you alone. It's too dangerous. Humans would notice you."

I rolled my eyes. "Glamour. I told you I will go alone. " The stubborn girl remained standing. I brushed past her.

"No. I won't delay you Nuada. But if leaving alone is your plan of action it's insane. I'm coming whether you like it or not." Laira said fiercely as she followed me out. Maybe she wouldn't go all the way, in human custom she just wanted to make sure I reached the place where I could seek my people and find the entrance.

I must not over exert myself so hit and run would work. I smiled, the adrenaline singing in my veins. It was like old times when I went into battle. But I have no armour which is dangerous. Seeking out fey was tedious. I finally followed a gnome to the above ground markets where humans and fey traded. I removed my glamour.

I realised that my friend did not plan to leave. I spun around, folding my arms. "Go. I will be angry if you don't."

Laira's eyes filled. I was so cruel. But I could not let them risk their life. Glancing around her, Joe had not come right? "How do you plan to fight so many? You need help," she hissed.

"How can I account to your brother? And you cannot fight. I have my plans, no confrontations. Be assured. Now go home!" I walked on into the crowds. She somehow tailed me, her footsteps a little clumsier than our people. See sense.

No it didn't work. I threatened to break off ties but she just remained silent. I approached a few speaking in elven and troll. Laira stopped some people with her smiles. After a while, I said, "Let me do the talking. They don't understand english."

"Fine." The owl folk, huge headed and timid, gasped when I showed them the seal. At the same time I looked for any doorways or entrances that could be hidden. I cursed that the goddess had not helped me. even saddled with an extra burden.

No elves. Elves would no doubt treat me with respect. But now I no longer am the great prince right? Immediately there will be protest if I introduce myself. For I declared war no one wanted to join. Sinking in it struck home. Tug on my sleeve.

"Ask them." she said.

Goblins. I made her stay behind me, hand on sword.

"N shuran, peace. May I know the way into the feylands?" People backed away. Huge ogres blocked my path.