Chap 34 Links are forever!

Training music by Danny Elfman, Gundam Seed Invoke

Nuada

What made them think I would starve? I shook my head. In exile I did, as I didn't always have enough rations. Sometimes I offended the vendors who refused to give good prices. If I wished to eat, I would go on mercenary quests. Ah, I could tell my friends about that. I was beginning to recall some of the past! If I didn't have enough to fill my tummy, I would sleep. Sleep conserves a lot of strength. Nuala kneaded my shoulders with renewed vigour. Oh no. I was going to have blue blacks.

"Stop. It's ok. I don't want to lie in bed for months," I protested, shifting away. I whipped on a tunic.

"I haven't finished. What, you already completed Artist of the floating world? It can't be," she argued, beaming.

I stretched and walked to the window. "Yes, don't want to read that anymore. I feel sick of the depressing mood. Anything else to recommend?"

She considered for a moment. I leaned in close and nuzzled her cheek. My twin sister, a mirror to myself. Her scar had faded to a thin white line. I am sorry I let him cut my scar. Then you'd not have suffered.

Brother it is fine. I have Abraham now. He doesn't see me for my appearance. We have our heartsong. Hey why didn't you like the elves Father introduced you to? You remember?

Not really. I did not get to speak with them, they'd be more interested in the feast and the dancing. I don't mix that easily. I don't know if that means I am anti-social. Twins usually have a more outgoing sibling, and the other one is quieter. You're the noisier one.

Nuala held me close. "I agree. Brother, let's try our Link again! If we practice surely it will be stronger."

Before I replied, she had already run over there. I waited for some time. Faintly, her voice said- Can you hear me?

Yes. Very very soft. I think distance is still a barrier. Nuala, do you like using your cellphone? I Sent back. She wanted to keep our special telepathy.

Unlike me, sister could competently use her cellphone. She called me and recommended Paulo Coelho. I laughed. "You can come right in to tell me. I didn't mean you use the phone now! When we're far apart."

Laira

A month and some days. My brother's transport broke down, so I couldn't see Nuada personally! I pestered them to hurry up and repair so I could go to the Bureau. Then work piled up. Uriel told me Nuada's scars were borne, not healed totally because people had not reached in time. At times, the warrior prince had already fainted, lost too much blood. Yet he never complained. Their healing arts had not been so advanced then. But I ought not to think of him that way. He will take care of himself.

I could still talk with him via phone if I wanted. Then my friend yelled "Letter! From your guy, N something."

"Give it to me!" I squealed. "It's Nuada. Oh yes!" I kissed the white envelope and danced. Jenna my good friend in our excavations for artefacts. She is in charge of dusting for fingerprints.

"What kind of name is that? Is he sexy?"

"Oh yea! Definitely."

"How long you guys going out?"

"It's almost two years plus."

"So sweet! I so envy you! How does Nuada look like?"

"Oh sorry no photo. He hates pictures taken of him." I promised not to show the funny pic to anyone else.

To her next question: is he romantic? "Nope. We're more like best friends. His letters are always cheerful though."

"Please lemme read! His writing looks beautiful."

I frowned. All right but I would look through to see if it's too personal. Jenna gave me a puppy dog face. I chuckled. I did tell her he is an elf. "Hey does he have pointed ears?" she mused.

I reminisce that I had asked him that when he woke up in our house. He

"The pointedness is not so pronounced, usually covered by fine hair." Actually it depends on the angle you watch Nuada… if you glance at him from the right, yes he looks elvish. From the centre, they're not obvious.

Hello there Lyra and Jonathan,

I think Joe is short for Jonathan right? Yes we read your letter together. Rest assured that I won't starve myself. I cannot skip a meal without alerting an entire gang of people lecturing me on health nutrition and so on. I have to gain back some weight, or the doctors want me to have intravenous. Meaning needles, that'll hurt! I'd rather force myself to eat more, than be hooked to one. The last time I had that, I could not move without help. The liquid is some type of sugar, used only for people who're very sick. I am not sick anymore.

Yes afrateir is brother. Elves are people of long memories. But not sure if we do have the longest. Have you wondered about dragons, druids or wizards? They are sentient beings. Magic weapons also contain the memories of their knights. Such things are a mystery. Yes I vaguely said that our race is not lost, but forgotten. Don't you agree, lost sounds pathetic. We're not lost in the world, or the wilderness like children! It is a degrading term. Thinking along this line, I am full of resentment against those mongrels. They do not understand. Labeling nonhumans as aliens and freaks too.

In the Army chambers, Hellboy said we had a duel. I didn't have the scar on my right arm where he slashed me. Can you imagine they tried to pull my sleeve? No respect!

The others described how I took the crown and activated some of the robots. The army is made of seventy times seven steel robots, forged by the goblins. This is from the file of course. Liz looked as if she would burst into flames, so I stood as far as possible.

'You tried to kill Red. I'm so mad!' she cried. I quickly hid behind Red. He is fireproof. He was laughing at me. Abraham, Liz tried to shoot at the robots, and Krauss possessed one. I marveled at the action. It is weird that I was there, but could not picture myself there at all. The demon said when his father the late Professor Broom read him our story, he had already thought of challenging the leader of the Golden army. I should have foreseen that. Still you know my stubbornness, like a donkey- albeit a royal and clean one. Horses are milder. Even after defeat, Hellboy claimed I tried to stab him with my dagger. His words: 'You just couldn't admit you lost, elf waif.' I sighed. By now, it's regular they call me funny names. Then he slapped me on the back, I almost fell forward.

Krauss' opinion why I was defeated: I probably could not hear the demon creep from behind. The gears were noisy. They want to recreate it and kick my ass again. Stupid people. Liz was laughing at my expression. As long as she didn't blow up my room.

I want you to come back soon. You asked when I am free. Usually on Friday evenings and weekends. Haha I'm glad you adopted Argetlam, but don't call me that ok?

You guys eat regularly too. I am sorry about the rain destroying your things. Hope everything will be fine. Rain is welcome, I love rain very much. Then I don't need the airconditioner. I watched Over the Hedge, someone brought it. The animals are very cute. Did you see that before?

Call me when you come back!

Yours truly, Prince Nuada

I felt the elf's happiness radiating from these words. He used black ink, and half of this was purple. There was a card from his twin, she wrote: our link works! But not too far away.

"Hey when can we go home? I miss the elves."

"You mean you miss Noowa." Joe laughed. I banged him on the head. He took the letter and grinned. "He's very funny in this one. Full of jokes, we upgraded his sense of humour." As long as no one knows how he looks like, it is fine to tell our friends about Nuada.

I closed my eyes, tried to picture him. I got your letter! Thank you. When our car is fixed, we can go. Maybe tomorrow…

No answer. I waited till evening. Finally we could get the show on the road. Shawn our contact said he could drive us all the way back. I was so overjoyed but too tired to stay awake. I took out his letter and reread it. Soon we can see each other again!

When we returned it was quite late. I decided not to disturb the elves, he should be on a mission now.

Instead I began writing:

Dearest Nuada,

I really want you to gain back your weight too. They're right, you are too thin. Besides don't have to worry, elves don't become obese. How lucky you guys are! Last time I also had the intravenous, the needle is so long and thin. So you'd better finish your food.

Yea, those beings do have very long memories too. I forgot about them. Haha. Usually when I think of the Sidhe, I think immediately of elves, next goblins, then fairies. However on our trips, there're more than these races. It's so amazing.

You're very funny. I laughed at your description of Red wanting to pull your sleeve and they want to kick your ass? Hey Nuada, you can get a free tanning, if Liz does blow up your room.

I wish I can grow taller. I drink milk everyday, lots of jumping and take vitamins but still, I am so short. If you grow even taller than now, I think I'd need a chair to stand on. I hate wearing heels, but I guess I need to. Did you get the painting we sent? I was thinking of this song I heard, called One in a million. You're one of a million elves! But only one can really make me stay… you make me discover what the stars above are. Isn't it romantic? Always will remember how I felt that day. This line takes me back how you were in my arms and I took care of you. Nuala, where did you awaken? Was it the same time as your brother?

I loved Over the Hedge! Hi five. Yes you like animals, why didn't I think of it before? There's Garfield and Bolt too, next time you can watch. How about action movies? Cannot wait to see you, Silverlance. Please let me hold your spear, just a little while.

Namaste (means May the highest be with you)

Lirael

As promised, I called the elf. He didn't speak for a long while. Then he said, "You're home. Are you safe? Are you well?" I analyzed his wavering tone. He must be awfully worried. And I had become more sensitive to his voice even if we weren't face to face.

"Yep. Don't worry. Have you eaten? Tomorrow, what time's good?"

Nuada said grudgingly, "I finished my lunch just now. It's stupid, Uriel wants me to stand on the scales. I feel like a child." I laughed. "How dare you laugh? It is no joke. He is here now. Damn, can you leave me alone? I'm on the phone!"

In the background, the other elf nagged him. Nuada retorted something in gaellic. I remarked, "Be good. He means well. Tell me what it is."

"I'm 1 kg heavier now. (elven speech) Sorry what's your question, again?"

"Ok. What time will you be free?"

"We will be performing for everyone. If you want to watch us, come at ten."

I gasped. Yes! Got to see some action. "Yes yes I'll be there!"

Nuada chuckled. "Thank you. Also many other cute elves will turn up. Perhaps you shall change your mind."

"Didn't you hear my telepathic message? Yesterday."

A pause. He replied, "No. I think I was too tired and slept early. Never mind."

Liz Sherman

Awesome! Demonstration of ancient weapons. Nuada was second. Everyone came to show their support. Laira reached, excited and hopping to get a view. Our elf's section would be solo, followed by a few duels, then the long range bows and arrows. First he began with a scimitar, a curved thin blade of Middle- eastern origins. Slicing the air with swift deft strokes, Nuada showed his adeptibility. Without hesitation, he selected katanas, Japanese blades. With his blond locks flying behind him, the warrior wielded them, cross blades and as separate extensions. He is ambidextrous. I remembered he said he can't do bow and arrows. But these stuff made up for them.

Red was silent. I touched his arm. "What's up?"

"I didn't know he's so… powerful. Compared to the time he couldn't move."

"Oi. Are you implying something?" the girl snapped in a fiery tone. Red denied this, patting her head. She sulked. We were only watching but felt out of breath. This time, when Nuada rolled on the ground, he clipped them away safely. Like magic, the katanas reappeared in his hands when he stood up. Panting slightly, he placed them back in the rack. "Thank you. The spear."

In sword mode, he started demonstrating the flexibility of it. A volunteer dueled with him. The shining blades connected in blurring succession. Manning was gaping- would he faint? I laughed at the amusing thought. If boss faints, we can all go on vacation!

Nuada smiled. The volunteer was one of the best students, he was some kind of dryad. Dryads are tree spirits. He looked human but had much more agility. I heard he was new.

The second best, Penelope, was in great spirits. Today she was going to do her own blade dance. Nuada had helped her with that for a month. The dryad's sword hooked on Nuada's Luin. Easily, the elf made the length extend. Unlike the last time, he made it very quick. Nuada began pushing the dryad back with the spear, a complete 360 degrees of deterring the opponent. He could hop over the spear, lie on the ground and deflect blows. The other could not get through at the strong front Nuada put up.

Laira was tense.

I said, "Don't worry girl. It's a friendly match."

"Um. I hope so. Did he rest well?"

"Yep. Uriel reminded him not to do somersaults. See, he's stopping now." Both of them ceased and bowed to each other. Deafening applause. Nuada glanced at us with a triumphant smile, tinged with humility. A thin coat of sweat bathed his lithe body.

Then he explained it was difficult to fight with a long weapon, plus a few more tips. Next, Salem and Celia with bows and arrows. The targets were set up. Celia split arrow on arrow with streaming missiles. Wow cool! Salem explained the uses of long range weapons.

I heard Laira call his name and run to the prince. She had not grown any taller. I have missed her much. Sometimes we chat online. Laira's not afraid of us mutants, and I love it that she treats Red normal.

"No do not hug me. I'm all sticky." He said, hands out, when she was going to lunge. He always repressed his love in public, but we can feel his devotion to them.

"Can I hold that?" she took his spear and almost toppled with the weight.

"Heavy. Be careful. Come." Nuada made it lighter. Laira smiled, talking with him.

I drew out of the crowd. Abe and Nuala were chatting. "Hey great performance, fairyboy," I remarked. Couldn't resist.

Nuada sighed. "Liz!" His amber eyes became orange more like his sister, a good sign. It usually signified he was going to laugh but controlled himself. Laira gestured. He smiled when she whispered to him.

I waited. "Don't you think it's fine to hug her? You're hurting her feelings."

"At least let me bathe first. Let's go. Want to join us?" he asked. I grinned.

The girl sniffed the air. "Hmm."

Nuada scowled. "If I stink, you can stay further away."

After a nice bath and sitting down for a while, the prince devoured a lot of food, more meat. If he wasn't exerting much, he took vegetarian meals. I opened my mouth. Today I was only having a sandwich.

"Are you ok? You usually have more," he remarked.

I nodded. "I am. Didn't thank me for the compliment."

Nuada's eyes narrowed. I smiled. Laira said, "It was so graceful. Thank you!"

Inside his room, Nuada cleared some chairs for us. Laira took his bed.

I leaned back. "Reminds me I finished a book on elves myths and facts. This one!" I took out the thick volume. Nuada moaned, pressing his forehead.

"Is it pumping me for a story time, or lengthy review?"

"I did a review. One page only. Here, on your table." I was proud.

"Me too! I like that book. Mine has more illustrations."

The prince said quietly, "All right. It'll be on a waiting pile of papers. I have other papers too."

They were essays written by the students what they liked to use, and feedback. The prince commented, "I prefer a practical session, but most voted for this. Hence I have so many papers to read. I suppose they don't want injuries."

We volunteered to help with the grading. Nuada shook his head. "You may read. They will wonder why my handwriting is inconsistent."

"Please!" the girl cried.

He winced. "No. I will get a migraine. How was my technique?"

We praised him. He smiled. "Thank you."

I teased, "Ly we could watch him again. Live demo, surely it's fine."

"What? I'm already tired," he argued. The prince shooed her off the bed and lay down.

We kept coddling and whining. The elf was firm on no. "I won't anymore. Going to hibernate, see you." He lay on his side.

Laira kissed his cheek and listened to his chest. I assured her he was going to be all right, just sleep. The prince smiled, holding her hand to his face. I left them. "Hey Red. Want to drink beer?"

"Why did you go into that guy's room?"

"I wanted to give him something. Will you cut it out? Nothing between us!" I snapped.

"Ok ok babe." The demon glanced suspiciously in that direction. I growled and marched away. When it got cooler, I met Nuada and the Half-elf outside the quarters. The ghost flowers were so magical that I wanted to weep.

Laira

I wanted to hug him right away but he became shy and said he'd feel sticky. I didn't mind. I missed him so much! Then we ate lunch together. Other than listening to us, Nuada did not talk much. His performance was par excellence! Now that he had fallen asleep, I started reading through the reviews that the students had done. Every one had his (mostly his but some were girls) favorite weapon. The second sheaf of papers were marked. Nuada usually wrote: good. Glad you like the lessons. He gave them all great passes too.

I whispered, "Hey, can I watch tv? At soft volume."

Nuada stirred. He didn't open his eyes. "Ok." He had slept through tv noise before. Yea all the channels were there! I was hooked on an episode of Naruto so I didn't hear him approach from the back. I was seated on his bed, at his feet. I yelped when Nuada rested his hand on my shoulder. He laughed.

"Couldn't you make a bit more sound?" I felt miffed that he didn't want me to hug him.

Nuada tilted his head. "I'm sorry. You can hug me now. You're thinner, dainin." I leaned back against him. He sighed. "Did you become anorexic?"

"No. I ate a lot more actually. When I'm stressed, I go for comfort food like chips and chocolate. Now I've a sore throat." I took out a lozenge and sucked.

"Drink more water. Later, I'll brew some honey tea, it's really effective." The prince slid so that he was right beside me. I had wanted to drink his before, and Nuada had got annoyed.

"Ok, thank you. It'll be super delicious, cos you make it, Argetlam."

Nuada didn't retort as I expected.

In the afternoon, the prince took me to the kitchen, got some warm water and stirred honey with some pink leaves into a cup. The chef smiled and said, "Your prince huh?" I felt so loved! It doesn't matter that he isn't romantic. I savoured the herbal remedy.

"Oh yes, I brought a Corrs cd. Want a listen? I think you'll like." Nuada smiled at the first song Would you be happier.

"Just right. Thank you. I wish I can make something in return for you. But I can't play music."

****

We met Liz at the forest when it got cooler. Our elf had discovered a new growth of blossom, pink and white ones. "They are called ghost buds. See why." He cupped one in his hand. It turned invisible. In a moment, the entire cluster flickered out. Liz was crying! She was too overwhelmed.

"Are you all right?" the elf frowned. I offered her tissues. She nodded.

"What is wrong?" Nuada cocked his head.

I took his hand and led him a little distance away. "She's too happy."

Like a typical male, it's biological, Nuada couldn't understand. But he didn't comment. I showed him some art sketches I had done. "Hey is it nice?"

"It looks very real. Any more?" My soulmate smiled. You are taking classes?Oh, we went there before. You like painting.

Sometimes I just doodle. Yea and this one was supposed to be you, but I don't quite know how to sketch you in. Your robes, my favorite color. I flipped to the page where I had used color pencils to do his meridian robe. Nuada pricked his ears still hearing Liz's crying.

"Have you considered making them professionally?"

I chuckled. He was quite serious. I shrugged. "I still can't do people well. This one's terrible. I wanted to make one of the pixie we saw. Sorry." Nuada glanced toward the pyromancer. She was observing something, her crying had ceased.

Is she alright? I thought something happened. Last time I almost got a shock when she spoke to me, and then this.

She is very happy. But I don't really know why. We girls can be scary eh?

Nuada blinked. His expression did not change much. Then he suddenly took my hand. I yelped. "I want to know what you're thinking. Then I won't be ambushed."