Chapter 8 The Maze

* I researched on Nuada's name meaning and spear. His weapon is one of the 4 great treasures in Ireland.

Recommend music- Art of war, Vanessa Mae. Bond's Libertango

Prince Nuada

This maze, a reminder of the happiest times in my brief life here. If only I had come here to think first, before going into exile. I had been so angry with Father then, for listening to the human king about the truce. We should never listen to weaklings! The rift had opened between Father and I. Poor Nuala was caught in the middle…

She had begged me to see sense when I packed my things.

"Brother we have never been separated before! I don't want you to go!"

"I must. I am not needed here! This is a fallen shadow of a kingdom. I want nothing more of this place."

"Let me go too. Please." Nuala cried, clinging to me. My heart was torn in two.

But my impulsiveness won out and I walked out, not looking back.

" Take care of father. He is alone and will need you more than I will."

Despite my decision to go on exile, I never stopped thinking of home. Nuala always asked me, during the first years, to come back. And that father would forgive me.

I was no prodigal son. I murdered him! I regret that action and will carry my burden all these remaining days. What had possessed me to harm my own flesh and blood?

The girl hesitated when I said she had the talent. Disbelief in her voice, but she was secretly happy. I felt a stirring of a rare joy inside when she confided in me about her mother. Just as I chose to come here, she was sharing a piece of herself.

There was an unspoken agreement all secrets would remain here.

"You know you should wear a cast."

I reassured her that it would recover given time. "A cast is too heavy."

Laira climbed onto the bench and studied the tree. It was once a tree laden with sweet golden fruit. With neglect it had died. There were more trees around, the whole forest. We played hide and seek games often. How soon will that childlike wonder and joy return to me again? Elves are supposed to be connected closely to nature. In a dead place, will there be life?

She almost forgot the path I showed to her, but eventually we came out.

"You have done well." I put my right hand on her back.

"Extreme failure." Was her reply. She was skipping. I will never understand this young race, more so a halfling's behaviour. They can talk like they are depressed when they are smiling. "Yo Lizzie!"

"Guys! Nuada you're going to faint. Let's go back." She glared at me reproachfully. Like a mother cat.

"I am not."

Liz Sherman took us back to the car. I didn't realize time had flown. All my injuries were aching again. It is stifling being cramped in a steel machine waiting to die any moment. You hear of accidents everyday. I can only trust the driver won't get us killed.

But I fell asleep when I leaned on the seat. The conversation between the girls formed the sound in the car.

"Hey why did you go in there? No fair, I was so bored."

"Secret," Laira said in glee. I smiled.

"Hope it's not some secret plan to-"

"Nope. He just wanted to see the sunlight and stuff. Liz you like rock music?"

"Totally yea!" she made a high pitched sound. They laughed.

"What's your favorite singers?"

"Within temptation, Bon Jovi, Guns and roses."

"Me too! I saw in a shop that day, WT's a metal band."

"Really? Did you buy it? If you do, let me know. Can you loan me your music?" Laira toned down to a thrilled whisper.

Made no difference, I could hear them clearly. Blast these elven ears. And I was a light sleeper.

"Sure no prob. Red has some too."

"I thought he only listens to classics."

Laira

I cannot believe Liz was not my best friend in high school! I would've made her mine. We loved the same music and had same tastes in clothes, meaning zero dressups. She likes metal and rock coz it helps her to vent her anger sometimes. Me, I just need the tempo to do something like read or write. We talked so much, trying to tone down our excitement. Beside me near the window, Nuada was sleeping, head dipping towards the glass.

"I don't think we were soft enough." Liz whispered to me. "Sorry man."

I decided to have a silence after this. Nuada sighed. His long silver hair was partly messy, but it has the magic effect of straightening again. I don't think he needs to comb.

Would he mind if I probed his mind without permission? Need I have to hold his hand? No, that would annoy him.

I shut my eyes, blanked my mind and searched for Nuada's. I got Liz, the driver, and his thoughts jumbled together. Ok, zone in. I pictured a focus of Nuada only, his mind a golden light. A haze of the twins running about in the maze. It was a forested maze, no sunlight. This must be the memory of the original Elven lands. Unicorns and sirens walked around freely. All kinds of myth people. Bell-like laughter, faerie music playing. Dancing, festivities.

Then the memory got marred by his leave taking. Nuada shouting at the king, a bearded man wearing a crown of thorns… the twins hugging each other and feeling sorrow. Nuala running after the prince as he walked down the path from the castle.

I pulled out just as my friend stirred. He blinked. He sat up in the seat and leaned back, now groggy but awake. "You can sleep. It will take another hour," Liz informed. She smiled.

He yawned, covering his mouth and glanced outside. Had he discovered I tried to probe without permission? I was never receptive to telepathy or used it before. My heart thumped.

I spoke mentally, projecting this out. Joe, can you hear this? I'm trying my telepathic thing.

Encountering a block. Nope. Maybe I was but Joe wasn't. He talked too much, being a natural extrovert. I always wished I had more friends, but my tastes in hobbies were too weird and fantastic. This talent thing scared me.

I leaned on his shoulder. "Um you're nice and warm," I murmured.

Nuada nodded off after a while. If I was not wrong, probing someone might not make them aware of you, but I had woken him. He looked like an unburdened white male slumbering on a sunny evening. Afternoon, when I checked my watch.

"So good, I want to lean on him like that."

"We can share." I didn't mind.

"I already have Red. He'd be jealous."

I mused, Red as a jealous petty person? Not likely. Liz shook her head. She said I did not know a guy that closely yet. I want a boyfriend who's into weird things like me. Why not the elf? No no. Elves are only with elves. Nuada won't accept this, he's a puritan elf! Stop daydreaming, I thought.

We were almost there. Our vehicle bounced over a ramp. Nuada automatically woke up, his ambers large. His right hand went absently to his side. Then realized he had no weapon, his lips set in a grim line.

" Hello, friend," I said.

"Hello too." he answered drowsily.

"Were we too noisy?" Liz enquired.

He pointed at his ear. "Heard all of what you said. Thank you for your kindness," he said sarcastically. Here was the moment, would he confront me on how I saw into his memories? I waited. But he was smiling as he opened the door on his side and got out.

"Open air at last." He declined the firegirl's offer to support him. Nuada walked gingerly in. I watched him speaking to the front desk people to change his room.

Nuala came out from one of the rooms hugging him. She wore a modern pink blouse and a long plaited skirt. They talked and gestured animatedly. The female elf's hair had lengthened and was as long as Nuada's. Growth seems very fast for their race.

Liz drew up beside me. "It's sweet they have each other."

"Yea. When can you loan me the Cds? I can't wait."

I followed her to her private room. "Thanks. I'll return them after I've ripped."

She escorted me out to the lobby again. Nuala was wrapping up in English,

"Think about it, Nuada. It will be fun and thrilling. And you can kick ass as they say here."

"All right. I'm going to bed." He turned to face us. We bid goodbye.

Sticking around paid off. Nuala said, "I sense his pain, he's pretending to be strong. Everything hurts especially his arm."

"I knew it. But we had to drag him out. Sadly the fountain is totally dry. " I said.

"Why are you so happy?"

Nuala was beaming however. "He doesn't realize. I'm going to marry Abraham Sapien. We're planning to by the end of the year."

"What?" Nuada would have a heart attack!

"I didn't want to tell him. As the older brother, he can become possessive and sulky. He is not friendly to Abe. But I know I'm on the right path."

Liz said she would support her. I laughed. This was incredible! I love weddings. But if a family member does not give his blessings, how would it proceed?

"When you gonna tell him? I thought twins can't hide anything from each other."

Liz pushed hair behind her ear.

"I can block my mind. I've been practicing. Can any of you help me break it gently? I don't want to be there when he finds out."

Ooh, sister becoming daring and rebellious. Nuala smiled sweetly belying her betrayal. "Hmm I'm not so good at gentle news breaking. Laira, want to?" Liz said slyly.

I gaped. Why me? Coz I'm his close friend. We stayed together for over 3 months. "But I can't do it alone. Ok let's not tell till you send out the wedding invites," I decided.

Nuala didn't get worried though. She was getting bold. I imagined the warrior prince flying into a rage, throwing things, brandishing double swords at people. Oh no. I verbalized my imaginings.

His sister said in determination, "No he can't hurt me, or ruin my plans. I've had enough of that. My future mate is my business alone."

Liz replied, "Very strong decision, Nuala. Ok, let's wait for a plan b. gotta go now. Bye!"

The elf asked to see my injured right hand. Her touch soothed the wound. "You have magic?"

She smiled. "Not really. I have a special balm made from violet flowers. It helps to heal wounds." She took out a little container from her pocket and smeared its content on my hand. It felt nice.

**********

Nuala and Abe were going to marry in some natural forest setting. I think it would be in the maze garden, only it would look nicer if we redecorated. With an ease of mind, I could picture the way in.

Joe said he had not heard my voice in his mind. "Otherwise I'd freak out! Everybody knows?"

"Shh, no Nuada only told me when we were alone. I'm not so certain yet. Let's talk when we're home." I pulled at his arm. He can't keep secrets.

"That's worth celebrating. You can apply it full on and fight bad guys!" I smiled, thinking of Lirael who never knew of her heritage as abhorsen. She had been ordinary until her destiny unfolded.

Outside Joe asked about the prince. "Yesterday, he was terrorizing people. Is he mending well?"

"Just looks menacing. Nuada is warm to me. You're going to assume he is bad again. give him a chance."

"Hmm then am I a half-elf? Since we're same blood."

I stared at him suspiciously. "I dunno, let's check your papers. I forgot to ask for you. Definitely the rational warrior type."

Prince Nuada

The rest in bed had given me time to think. The situation had become dangerous suddenly. Many hated me for my decision to have war. My friends warned that it would take decades for the masses to accept my return. Only the trolls and faeries did not mind that I was alive. They were simple minded.

I had to wear a glamour and accept the Bureau's protection, outside of Bethmora. I could not carry my weapon about like in the old days. A civilian and ordinary elf. Takes time to get used to.

Who had sent the monsters after Uriel and I? Now this matter disrupted my sleep. Without the drug, I would lie awake and ruminate, turning the matters like a ploughshare in the field. The drug was called penicillin. It helped ease the biting pain in my back and ribs. I disliked human drugs. But so far I had no side effects.

My elven friends did not have enough mana to spare. Mana is used in healing magic. I was too drained to attempt it on my own.

I am lucky to be alive. Liz loaned me a book about paranormal investigations. I flipped through it. Photos of odd animals, summaries of the cases.

The badge looked smart. If I chose to, any weapon I wanted could be mine. Still, I missed my silverlance. It is the Spear Luin. My father had named me after the historical king in the Book of Invasions. He was made a king, and a god of war and healing.

Hellboy was not going to listen to me, if I became the sword master. Ha! If I could use an arsenal of spears, scimitars and swords, I would surely win.

Abraham came in, holding a bundle of daggers and swords. They looked familiar.

"Hi prince! Here are these, yours. Try to rest." He was going to kneel.

He put them on the table.

I sat up in bed. A little dizzy. "Dispense with ceremony. " The fishman smiled, flipping his gills. I tested a blade. Finally not helpless anymore.

"Pardon me I just sensed that you intend to spar with Hellboy. You should not exert yourself."

I snorted. "This weak hand's no matter. I'm right handed."

Abe hesitantly sat on the chair beside me. I placed the dagger on the desk. What, he wanted to be friendly? Don't even think on it. This was just false concern, my sister would hurt if I did. "Don't read my mind. It's rude."

The nurse returned with a long pole and the bag of fluid.

No, not again. I moaned inside. "Sorry, since you're not up to food, we have to give you by intravenous. It won't hurt much." A lie.

"It's ok. I'm here."

Abe's cold hand on my left arm soothed the sting of the needle. I lay back on the soft pillows. My mood was superb. It felt like ecstasy. "Nuada, let me play soft music for you. Then you can sleep better."

"No." But he went away and some soft music tinkled. I wanted to tell him to stop but had no energy. He talked about the composer. I drifted.

Actually I could eat something light. Would they take away this tube thing if I did. "Abraham, (to me the fishie) I am a little hungry. Can I take it out?"

He told me to wait and went out. I said to Nuala- Abe came in. You're joining BPRD? I like the idea. But I need time to recuperate.

She responded- great! I love him so much. We love the same poetry. Let me read you one.

Something should have hinted at their action. I listened half-heartedly.

"Ok, what do you want to eat? Sire?" a woman in uniform asked me.

"Something light. Bird meat and vegetables. Do you have?"

"No problem." She went out whistling.

Another nurse came in and felt my forehead. "Hmm no fever. Ok, out comes the needle."

"Thank goodness. I prefer solid food."

She gave me a sunny smile. I reciprocated. Her face reddened. The coldness on my arm felt nice.

I ate everything on the plate. There was soft cream on a small bowl. Sweet taste.

"Ice cream. Is it nice?" Abe returned, sitting again.

"Good." I licked the spoon. Still felt ravenous. "Don't you have any mission? I need no company."

"That's deceptive of you, Nuada. I wish to extend a token of friendship. Will you accept?" His big eyes happy with hope.

I sighed. Not yet, I wasn't ready for this. I don't like blue colored men walking naked. But he was not human, and we are kind of forgotten people. We belonged in the same category. He said, "I would like very much to be friends. It was a bad start last time. I am keen to understand you better."

"Because of your love for Nuala. Not me." Filthy fishman.

"At first I thought so myself. But after thinking carefully I changed my mind."

I closed my eyes pretending to doze off. He went on rambling about how all races should unite, black white brown. Huh, I'm white? I'm no man. Blah blah blah.

I held up my hand. "If I agree will you be silent?"

"That's so nice! Do you like the music? It's so soft and consoling isn't it?"

I nodded, actually feeling tired enough. At last escape into dreams. "I cannot wait to tell Nuala! I succeeded. Thank you."

"Quiet." I growled.

"All right."