Chap 33 Renamed- Artist of the Floating world

*Bond: Allegretto 2012 changed title of it because i want to draw more attention to the prince's thoughts about this, on 2nd half of this chapter. haha

Laira

He pretended not to hear me when I called, "Argetlam! It's me." Acute hearing but not bothered. It was Nuada, clothed in a dark blue long robe cut off at the knees. He smelled fresh, must have bathed. I smiled. "Hey!"

"I said not to call me that, dainin," he replied with a scowl. Then gently, "Have you eaten?"

After lunch, I followed him to the library. The prince wanted to check out new CDs Abe promised and return a few too. The fish was delighted. He took out a big pile of the recommended discs. Nuada shook his head. "So many? It's all right, just two is enough. Thanks."

"Glad to be of service! It's so cool that you love these soundtracks." Abe took back a Chopin and Beethoven.

"They were good. Want to play yours?"

I was surprised. Usually the warrior disliked being in prolonged contact with the fish in the same room. Why he had been pulling a long face last week when Abe had not finished his departure speech to Nuala. Nuada had been pacing up and down. Red was telling him something. They had smirked in conspiracy.

I did not move. Nuada glanced at me in concern.

"Are you feeling ok?"

"Yes. I thought…" You and me only.

The fish said he would go into his tank for a nap. My friend smiled. "I want to stay here for a while. Let me do it. I think I can operate the machine." The player was large, linked to a Hi fi system. This was the central thing. I watched him press it open and stick the CD in. I had brought my ripped tracks of Bond. They are a string quartet with lots of active classical pieces. I told him the titles. He lounged beside me and cupped his head with both hands.

"Nice? Not too noisy right? I like Victory and Allegretto the most."

"Beautiful names. I love violin pieces, and there's much passion. But not when I'm training."

"Your letter was so funny. I couldn't stop laughing."

He chuckled. "I thought what happened to my name."

"It is the actual way to say your name. Nuadha. But you don't want?" I massaged his arm. He glanced at me, his ears twitching a bit.

"I won't know you are calling me. If we are walking in the troll markets, many people would be coming to your summons."

"It's a common name?"

"True. Simple, it means protector. There're a few meanings, the Hunter, Protector, even Fisher. I like the first two. Argetlam means Silverhand, which I do not." My elf gazed at the tall shelf of books. Did he read them?

"I know. His hand was replaced because people cut it off. I'm glad you're not."

Nuada listened. His tresses seemed white silver now. There was a rune marking on his forehead. I leaned close to examine that. What are you doing? I showered.

Your skin… this marking. Elves have runes? This showed when your hair moved.

Umhm. He had closed his eyes. I brushed his bangs over the marking and blew on his face. Then kissed his nose. Nuada sighed. I waited for a kiss but nothing. Soft breathing.

"Hey you are already sleeping?" I asked in his ear.

The elf ignored me. I glanced over to Abe, also seemed to be floating like in sleep. Oh Nuala has a present for me! I got up to look for her, casting out for the princess.

Nuala, where're you?

I am here. Upstairs. Today she was decked in golden with purple sash. She had a large book in her arms. Nuala ran down the steps. "I have your gift. I hope you like it."

She went to the desk. This used to be the place she waited to hide from her twin previously. With a mind scan I could vaguely feel what took place. "Here Laira."

A card was neatly written. Happy birthday! From your friend Nuala. It was a crystal unicorn pendant on a cushion. "Wow thank you. I love this."

"Did Brother give you a present? He was still thinking what to get on Saturday."

Really? He did not give me anything else.

"Saturday… Nuada didn't come. He had something on. We only met the next."

The outing to the movie and the cake were my gifts I thought. I conveyed these.

The girl elf smiled mysteriously. No when my twin says he will do something, it is done. You can rely on his word. Want to pester him? Then he looks frazzled.

Nuada was coming to, he yawned and smiled when we approached.

"Hmm where is my gift?"

He blinked. For some time, the elf was pondering something. He glanced at his sis' box for me. "Oh that was it. And I paid for the cake."

I shrugged. Never mind, they were enough. He frowned at a table of books on the left side of the room. Flinging Hellboy on it, Nuada swung his spear and hit him in quick succession, then he leapt up. Finished with an all round exercise of the Luin. I saw the actions clearly. Nuala called her brother and supported him. He almost swooned.

"Oh no what's wrong?" He was not feeling well? I guided him to a chair.

"Nothing. I- had a flashback to the past."

"Yes I could see the ghosts. The events happening," I added. Nuada pressed a fist to his forehead. Nuala was calm though, so I didn't panic.

We went to his bedroom afterwards. Nuada searched inside his main drawers, pulling out all the things from stationery to books to papers. "What's up? What are you looking for?" I piped up when he didn't stop for long. He grunted only. Then the prince took out a box wrapped in paper with patterns on it.

"I bought this but I forgot about it. Here."

I smiled. "Oh thank you, Nuada! Can I open it?"

"Please go ahead." He settled beside me on his bed. Unveiling a present is so interesting, you are anticipating what is the surprise inside? A book titled Sidhe tales of the forgotten realms. It was quite heavy and solid volume of pages.I gaped.

"Whoa! This is so cool! You bought it?"

Nuada laughed. "Yes of course. I haven't the skill to make stories into a book. I found it from a Griffin's bookstore in the scholar regions."

I took his hand. Oh he had gone there on Saturday! So Nuada didn't tell me what he was doing, I had initially thought it was a mission thing. It's so meticulous of you, love! I will read every word. Did you wrap for me too?

As you can see, the wrapper already gave way. The whole thing fell apart when you just touched it. I tried.

I read some of it as the prince went to sleep. He didn't forget my birthday! In contrast, a major event later demonstrated his volatility. As he had promised he found our father Lenwe Severn. His voice was so stern and filled with dark fury when he called me.

"I found him. The asshole who left you alone for so long."

"What? Don't kill him."

"Of course I cannot. We've retained him in the facility. Are you not furious? After what he has done to your family?" the elf demanded fiercely.

I paused. Joe had come from behind. I answered, "I don't know. Nuada, let me think through this. Um, we'll call you back. It's ok, don't be so angry. You sound- scary."

"I am perfectly rationale, dainin. But what he has done is atrocious. My connections have uncovered evidence of many crimes he has committed. All right, later then." I hung up my heart pounding. He was a handsome elf, with blue eyes. Now I could picture his face more clearly. Father's hair was blond, more yellow than Nuada's and he was taller. His skin was the same tone. Now would he be aged? I couldn't See him when I scanned my friend.

Joe cursed. "Did he kick his ass? Let him decide what to do with him! I don't give a shit!"

"Brother, I want to see him."

"Huh? Then you'll let him off scotfree?"

No I wouldn't. That night we were each in our own world. I didn't know what to feel. I wish he hadn't come and got caught! But I wanted to see our dad, it had been so long since… I was a child. If I didn't go, Nuada might kill him. I called his room.

"Laira! How're you doing?" he asked. Such difference in his tone. I reminded myself of his kindness when he bought me the presents and when he was eating the cake.

"I'm fine. Tomorrow, I want to see him."

A long silence. I thought Nuada had hung up so I repeated myself.

He said slowly, "He is a bastard. I despise him truly. Come by at eleven. I will show you all the evidence." This was the elf who had killed his father the king, more of that side.

It was true he was mad, he had every right to be.

I nodded. "Ok." I changed the subject and Nuada was all right again.

Nuada

The damn elf. Some trolls I knew brought him to us, shaking like a leaf. He was a shriveled thing.Thank you, I told them bowing. Salem and other elves were with me as escort. For months when I was not on official business, we had traced the connections through trolls, mages and other feyfolk. I paid them well to help out.

Studying this member of our race, I felt terrible for my friends. They would have been a complete family if he had not run off. What excuses did he have now?

"Give me your hand! Now." I ordered him. He sniveled, looking up. His face was still youthful, the only indication of age was his long straggly beard, unfocused gaze and wrinkles at his eyes.

"Why? Who are you?" he stuttered. I was so angry I wanted to kill him right now. My spear was just within reach.

Salem shook his head, holding my arm. I took a deep breath.

"An elf," I scoffed.

He begged for mercy sobbing. Damn him! Ciranel helped him to stand up. The troll who found him said he had been frolicking with young maidens at inns. As an agent of BPRD, I could not kill him. But I was determined to torture him, the fey laws stated that. I could order his execution elsewhere.

"Nuada you mustn't kill him. The children will want to see him." Salem asked.

"I know. I won't. Let's retain him in the prison. This is subject to elven jurisdiction."

It was no problem for me to oversee his imprisonment. The authorities didn't want a death to happen. No problem, I would not kill him here in human facilities.

I enjoyed intimidating Lenwe inside the jail. I stopped within inches of Lenwe. Who are you? He whispered. Why are you doing this?

I am Prince Nuada Silverlance. Then I leaned close to whisper the reason. His eyes widened. He gasped for breath. Uriel and other doctors made sure he didn't get a heart attack. "Please be careful, your Highness. He is already 1000 years old."

I nodded. "I will. Lenwe, ask yourself why you've lived so long and not gone home to your family? I assume you had two children with Sharon Taylor a human?"

"You know them? Where're they? I want to see them."

He dared to ask me? I kicked his hand as he tried to touch me. Then I gestured, picturing a chain around his throat. The prisoner coughed and sputtered, collapsing against the wall. "You are in no position to request anything. I could strangle you right now." I hissed. Then I released the air to his lungs.

Lenwe cowered in a corner of the cell. I drew out my sword and showed him its gleaming edge. He did remember, because he was in debt, Lenwe could not face Laira, Joe and their mother. But he did not change his errant ways, drinking alcohol, getting in brawls, and playing with women were what he engaged in. how despicable.

You couldn't even send them money? They became orphans because of you! I cannot believe you live so long and yet didn't try to find them.

When the girl came, Joe refusing to see this asshole, she was shocked and pale. "Father?"

But she didn't go any closer to him. The prisoner cried pathetic tears. "I am sorry, my child. I didn't intend to leave for so long. I just couldn't…."

I was disgusted. "Stop your crying! You're a male, not a coward. Face your deeds!" I shouted. I cast a net of stinging barbs and scratched his arm. He quietened down. Laira shook her head.

Please not anymore. You can do magic? But…

Yes, I answered. When furious, we have almost unlimited magical power to call upon freely and wield them.

"What do you plan Noowa?"

"I will banish him forever from our world."

Lenwe began begging anew, pleading. I silenced him telepathically. You cannot resist me. Beside me the child said something but I did not hear her. Focusing on the wretched elf, I traced a symbol of green fire that did not burn, but leapt over his head and afterward spread to his chest. Lenwe cried out in anguish. He went limp. "No death but nobody will recognize you for who you claim to be. Elves who are dishonorable will pay. Hence I strip away your identity and heritage." He had now lost his memory. I told the others to drag him out. He would almost be like a mortal. At least no more women would suffer, nor would he waste his money on frivolous matters. Justice was done.

Joe thanked me. I shook his hand.

Lirael looked tired. It must have been hard on her to watch me dealing punishment to him. "I promised you. It is done. He won't die."

"I know. He… isn't like a father… this old skinny man." She browsed through the evidence my connections had gathered.

"What a bastard. Why're you so sad sis? He got it coming," her brother retorted.

She shrugged. "I pity him I guess. Nuada, you have a lot of magic at your disposal! Why don't you show it to me?"

I hugged her. "I cannot. It's innate."

Soon they had forgotten about the whole incident. We walked in the forest outside. I showed them new growths. I did not care for any member of my people who'd be so despicable. Laira seemed to be pondering it. Rather, brooding.

"Do not brood. It's bad for health. So how about calling me Argetlam?" I distracted her. She beamed and continued on the various meanings of this label. The boy knelt at one of the trees and observed a bud.

Few days had passed. The magic energy I had spent did not return. I continued playing with the Luin, the best part of my spear is its extension. All the students stop what they are doing to watch me perform. I've never had an audience before! It was quite a refreshing experience.

Now I had more leisure time! The Artist of the floating world, the newest book on my desk. The story was about this artist who was forced by his father to become a businessman. It flashed from past to present, quite confusing at times. He had 2 daughters. For the one daughter to be married off, the main character interfered by arranging for her marriage. I think this practice is extremely outdated. Even elves choose our own mates. I would be furious if my parents had decided for me! So the title was deceiving, it talked more about humans' dealings than the actual artwork. Sister was with me.

"But there're good parts, brother. When he cuts a bush, she will talk indirectly. If you did not interfere in the making of the bush, the flowers will still be beautiful. Isn't that comical?"

I smiled. "Yes! Where is that page?" finding the best portions of the story makes good browsing. I don't believe in wading through useless text. Been doing that for some time, and fallen asleep. On the other hand, the Drizzt stories were easy and action packed so I had already finished the first 4. Laira was going to get the next volume.

"You ought to treat a novel with due respect." Nuala insisted, patting my back. I grunted.

"I didn't tear the pages out. It's already respected. Ahhhh!" I read the scene Nuala had described. Indeed, he was puzzled why she kept criticizing his cutting techniques but not understanding the real meaning. Irony. I would be smarter than him and ask her what she meant. Maybe it is a cultural thing to ask indirectly. Well, some of the fey tend to behave like this, but my policy is more straight talking. I hate the indirectness.

My twin combed my damp hair, then her fingers worked the cream into my back. Felt like old times before Abraham. It was our private time. As we agreed, sometimes he should step back and let us be together. So far the arrangement made me happy.

"So many scars. Is this a new one?"

I turned. Nuala pressed me back on the bed. She told me not to move and tickled the scar. I replied, "Not really. I am very careful. It's enough, can I wear my shirt now?" My sister whispered just a little more. I relaxed again.

No longer do I fall into depression. We are on equal footing now. It seemed centuries ago that I had tried to awaken the Army. My memories are vague. Perhaps it should remain this way. I noticed some writing starting now. ' indirect way of communication', 'he is using a foil to….'

"I had always hoped you'd appreciate more of the artistic ways. You are at peace. This is almost… surreal."

I answered in good stead, "Hey there're many aspects you have yet to discover, sis. I am sane if that is what you're hinting at."

Speaking in elven bonded us closely. Nuala felt happier. She shared a poem she'd written. I helped her to comb her hair as well. "You are sane, brother. Thank you."

I waited. She did not continue. Why had she cried when I went to meet her after the wedding ceremony? I asked her mentally. Nuala confided, "I was so overjoyed. And touched. How many nephews and nieces do you want?"

What? I almost fell off the chair. She chuckled. "Up to you both… as long as it doesn't hurt you too much."

You won't mind if they look blue will you? I want them to see how wonderful my big brother is!

I rested my hand on her shoulder. I did mind, but let her have a good time picturing that.

Laira called me in the evening. "Have you finished? What do you think significant?"

"Yuck I only liked the parts of him arguing with the independent girl. Has he no backbone? Why do you have notes on the side?"

"It's my Literature text. We had to analyze that text with essays. Yea I liked those moments too! Nuada you're happy. Yay!"

My heart warmed. How affectionate she is. "Of course. I sound bright and positive!"

"Not enough, Nuada. I used to think elves should sound high pitched. Wee!" she pitched her voice. I cringed.

"No we don't. That's a pixie, not an elf," I corrected her.

"Xmas elves talk that way."

I growled. "I am no xmas elf. A day for presents and family, not dressup. (she whined please) No, I won't dress up like a Xmas elf. Not even for money. What do you take me for?"

She laughed so much. I smiled. Putting on a hat with a bell at the end is ridiculous. "Good. I thought Floating world is good for you, the older generation."

"You insult me. I'm not old. You are being an ageist." I could not believe they still thought of me as old. I did a lot of strenuous things now. Most of my stamina had recovered, I just had to take more of the antidote to counteract the poison returning. I believed it would not return.

It might in times of duress, your highness. Be careful. The healers cautioned.

"Nuada are you all right? Do you have arranged marriages?"

"We are free people. Laira, you're still interested in being an ambassador?"

"I just said yes coz you were asking. Dunno. Will you support me?"

"I always will," I replied gently. Whatever she did, I wanted to be there for her. Some of my people are obstinate, even if we speak the same language. Nuala and Abraham's idea was to take the feedback from the young generation of half fey and purebloods. They all wished for harmonious coexistence. Most of them, as I had seen when I first entered Bethmora, were fine playing together. For a time, riots had ceased. Word spread that my efforts with the paranormal forces were only peaceful.

I dared not hope too much. Escorts were still needed for me to go anywhere outside. I always carried a dagger at least or my spear.

Back to the conversation, Laira replied, "Yep. You're old but inside only. I just want to share this- the elvenkind have the longest memories of any citizen on earth! True or false?"

Cute. "I am not like everybody else. Neither. You have to ask more elves. Then that will be more accurate."

She wanted to bring more books when she came on Friday. Oh no! "Not finished with these yet. I'm a slow reader. Relax please." Nowadays I was not so drained from investigations, but lying down I will also fall asleep easily. Nuala laughed. "Hear that? You made a fool of me." I could not stop smiling either, though I intended to keep a serious face. Sigh.

Fiction was not the only thing I read, also it's therapeutic to see colorful illustrations of animals. I didn't want to see them in captivity. The photos were poignant, and the assurance was these humans didn't disturb them. Birds, llamas, camels, horses. I pored over them eagerly.

Are we really the oldest race in the world? Would we live on only in memories? Nuala stroked my fringe back, tucking the hair behind my ears. Bliss!

Dear Nuada (and Nuala if you're there too!)

We miss you lots! We hardly have time to see you personally, all schedules out of sync. It's sad that animals are becoming endangered. But ancient species are returning, like the coelancth and Tasmanian tiger. They are so resilient. I think you guys are too. I saw in the file about the tooth fairy incident. Nuada, I remember you said: we are not lost, forgotten by humans, but very much alive. I think it's so memorable and cool. What a speech elf! Woohoo. I definitely agree with you on that haha. I don't want you elves and magical folk to fade. We'll all stage a protest for that. We shall be returning next week. Hope we can see you then! Do you eat regularly, since we don't talk so often now? Don't want to see you lose weight again.

Joe: both your Highnesses, let me bow to you (on paper). (crown picture) We're fine, though it rained over here, quite heavily. Our excavation site was flooded! Some papers got torn as well. We saved a painting of an old king and queen, they look like fey, or elf? Before I saw you, honestly I thought elves should look like the middle earth, as in golden skin and blue or green eyes. I will arrange for it to be sent to you guys. Take care, brother! Nuala said it's Abrateir is it?

Lots of love: L&J