Chap 39 Sinister intentions- Gargoyles' curse?

Joint- Mami Kawida (Shakugan no shana season 2)

Evanescence's Bring me to life


Laira

Nuada's golden eyes were piercing and sincere. When exactly did I hold back? We have a lot of disagreements, like when the elf gets stubborn and inflexible. No, he does not listen to advice all of the time. Make no illusions. Why did I need to argue when we were both reasonable and friendly? Grass smelled sweet as we lay watching the nightsky. The elf's breathing in my ear tickled. Pointy ears. Clad in a midnight purple silk robe, his fair skin glowed. Nuada's long lashes were also golden. He had a half-smile on his dark lips.

You forget? I am amazed.

Oh yea now I remembered why I held back. We were having some argument, something close to our hearts. On a stormy autumn night. Usually Nuada and I didn't go outside on bad weather, as he didn't carry umbrellas nor wear a cloak. (Perhaps this led to him in such a terrible mood)…. A big fight.

He had shown himself to those people, already terrified by what kind of horrors stayed in the dark. I had no strength to restrain the warrior. They ran off screaming. Nuada loomed out of the dark in his menacing cloak of fury minus glamour.

"You're not being fair here. People care that's what!" I snapped.

Nuada's ambers emanated fury. "I do not need anyone's care! As long as they don't intrude on our land. How could you side with those- those creatures? "

He had gone backwards again, back to That angry warrior. "Such hollow things that they are. It's too late! We will all perish."

I was so angry I couldn't think clearly. All that rose to my mind were how harshly the elf judged humans, curses and my frustration.

"Stop it! Why are you scaring them?" I demanded.

Then the prince's features contorted with pain. He murmured, "They… died. Couldn't help them. No." Perhaps Nuada had seen something happen? The images were blurry and unclear. He was breathing hard, clenching his fists. His lips were set in a grim line, hostility emanating from his entire rigid body. He vehemently cursed in his dialect.

There were really challenging times like these, when Nuada's temper blew out of scale, that I wondered if he and I were truly destined to be soulmates. I was not so much fearful of his fury, than how he expressed it.

Why did he revert to the hollow things argument?

There was no proof those people killed the fey. My relatives are not hollow! You're so biased and angry can't think of another angle? Your parents would be hurt by this. They see everything up there! I didn't know how much Nuada had received my own thoughts, so I threw up shields. All these mean comments would cut him up.

I think the Bureau had sent Nuada to investigate how some fey were killed. Manning should have reconsidered! When we passed by the very place, some mortals were looking at the remains. Maybe they were concerned why the thing had died. My soulmate was feeling raw and protective of it.

I turned my back on him and looked up at the tree. Its leaves were going a nice red. I took deep breaths. After a moment, I glanced at my friend. He said, "I am tired. You really think so? That I am prejudiced?" He absently pushed back his hair and met my eyes. "Answer me."

I bit my lip. Nuada waited. The time was like eternity. The silence was very unsettling, like he was pissed at me but I did not want that. If I did say what I truly thought, he'd be more angry. How could I bear to mention his family? It'd be rubbing salt on his wounds. So I did not answer, cocooning myself in my own hostility. I must not be selfish. According to my past experience, when guys are mad, leave them alone.

*****

"Why didn't you tell me? I want to hear it," he whispered, his eyes closed.

"It was nothing. Nothing important, Noowa. I think we were both crazy then. Forget it."

"I won't be angry. Speak your mind."

I lied that I had forgotten. Nuada tilted his head endearingly. He was so different from that time. I sat up and observed his hair glowing in the dark. "You should not brood. Didn't you stop me from that unhealthy pastime?" he pressed, crooking up one knee.

I smiled. "I don't. Let's not argue like that again. We wasted that day."

The elf blinked. "I am sorry. If I said something untrue or hurting."

"It's ok. You were kind of right, but also wrong. My relatives are not hollow. You went ballistic."

"Ballistic is?" he asked.

"Furious." I showed my hands up, to mean an explosion. "Well, I was concerned you'd burn the place with that much fury."

His response made me jump. "Laira, why was I so angry?"

He didn't have an inkling? I replied flatly, "I think you saw humans at some place, and thought they had done some crime. Then lumped all the good and evil together. I wanted to curse and beat you up."

He sighed. A reluctant smile. "Interesting. That was all? No more resentment?"

I was glad most of the time, we discussed such things in great detail. But our relationship is no means smooth sailing. I hated moments when Nuada reverted back to anger-no-reason-for –them- to- live. And his possessiveness, he would not let me walk around unchaperoned, drove me nuts. Yet it is to my guilt I wanted to make him upset for what he had accused the humans of. He cared for me.

I am an elf, but I don't want the humans to be maligned. He Is prejudiced. Admitting that would worsen the situation. "I am sorry. I wanted to hurt you for that," I said.

Nuada rose fluidly and came to me. He helped me up. "I will allow you to hit me."

I chuckled and pretended to punch his gut. Nuada made a face. "Hey I don't brood. So I don't want to mention again," I added.

"You do not understand. Part of the honor code means telling me how you think. It is only one sided if you keep it from me."

I gently hit my forehead. No! Nuada was not going to let up. His dark lips were in a little smile, and his brows were furrowed. Quizzical. "Elf, I am not keeping anything from you. I mean let bygones be bygones."

"Laira, I do not want to hear that." He took me by the shoulders and continued, "Fine. Give me your hand."

I kept my hands behind, but trained my stare on his face. He held out his right hand. "Please. Ok ok I will tell you. I feel- invaded when you want to take my hand. Like I am a naughty child."

I pondered and tried to rearrange what I wanted to say. "First I wanted to curse you for grouping all people together. I felt so pissed. Then I thought I shouldn't make it worse, coz you were already ballistic. I don't remember exactly. And you seem to have forgotten that night anyway."

Nuada walked in silence after that. I looked up trying to see his expression (difficult from the side), but his visage was veiled by his long tresses. He had given up cutting, for it always grew back even thicker. I wonder why.

"Are you all right?" I asked, feeling worried.

"Umhm. I must have provoked you much, dainin. When I am blinded by rage, are you afraid?"

I still could not see his face. He started tying his long hair back with a band.

"A little bit. But I'm also angry. And sad. A lot of things, elf." That was my very honest answer.

Another long pause. He rested his hand on my shoulder and pointed up. Oh! A camouflaged nightjar hidden from most naked view, looked the same color as the branch! So cute!------ I exclaimed.

Nuada replied, Yes. Thank you for your honesty. It is so important for us to be open with each other, that is our people's way. What can I do to make up for that night?

I get it. You have made up, reading us stories and talking with me whenever I am lonely. Do you mean the elves' way of openness, or the general fey?

All of us. Lirael, why is it always the bygones thing? You try to avoid the issue with that phrase.

Haha, forgive and forget. What my granddad taught me. He said we should try to forget the bad things and forgive each other. It is difficult sometimes. Yea I prefer to avoid issues of conflict. Don't you guys think of it this way?

Nuada was about to reply when there was a vibrating sound. He took out his cellphone. "What is it? Now? All right, I'm coming." He turned to me. "We should return now. I have to do something. "

We've just confided something important. Ok, let's go then.

The elf escorted me to his room, then rushed off. Was it a mission? The red light was off, not a mission then. My brother had missed calls for me. I picked up.

"Yea bro? What's up?"

"Laira, what happened?"

"Nuada and I were having a heart to heart. Now he's got to do something. Why?"

"Get a comp. I want you to see this. Something like a fey. We found it in Mansfeld Memorium. It had turned into a statue."

I hung up and went to the computer lab. The guy said no entry. I sighed. Time to use contacts. "Abraham Sapien's friend. A few minutes, please."

I opened my email. I called my bro again. "Joe, it looks like a statue. It was alive before?"

"It froze before we could come close enough. It spoke in funny tongues. Are they like busy now?"

"Don't know. I will show it to Abe and Nuala first then. See ya."

Nuala and Abe looked at the picture for a while. I waited for the result. The princess said slowly, "It is a nymph. Usually they turn into trees but it is highly unusual this one became a statue. Can I speak with Joe?"

I pressed the numbers for her. Abe asked me how Joe sounded. A lot can be revealed from somebody's tone. He pressed one hand to the paper, his right. The right hand is more sensitive than the left. I had not. Brother was very excited about the discovery but not overly worried.

"I see. No Nuada is now at a meeting. I do not know. Shall I come with the rest? We need to take a look. Yes…." Nuala was talking to him.

I wanted to go too! It sounded like a whole lot of fun. But they declined. "It is much too dangerous. You know that my brother will worry. You cannot come. He will be more than upset if he finds you gone."

"I won't be in danger, guys. Please! Look I can discuss with Noowa first."

Abe added, "Laira stay here. We will let you know the details, nothing will be leftout. Nuada said explicitly that you should not go on cases. I doubt he will grant you permission." I touched palms with his damp webbed hand. Yes, the elf was kind of angry, the moments where he shouted at Abraham Sapien. Which he had conveniently Not told me.

"Fine." It is one thing to do something, but getting Abe in trouble again did not seem honorable. But so disappointing. I watched them preparing gloomily. Hmm why was prince taking so long at the meeting? The princess spoke to a few elves, one of whom was a she elf too. She had a tough brazen appearance, donned a traditional armour! She had very sharp nose and ears, her bright hair was dark and glossy. Both hair color and she elves are rare here. They nodded to each other.

I was returning to Nuada's room when I heard his voice. He called me. A pair of swords in black sheaths were strapped on his belt.

I ran up to him. "Can I come too? I'm curious to see what's up."

Nuada, to my surprise, agreed without any argument or hesitation. "All right. Stay close to us."

"The meeting was about this?" We went in the same direction as the vehicles' parking area.

Many tree nymphs have become stone too. There may be a curse. Damn.

This was the most he would disclose. Oh, one more thing. The princess had changed to pants and pulled her hair into a ponytail.

*********

Joe waved to us. The nymph statue was frozen in a mask of serenity, the mouth agape. It was a hard stone layer. Humans were scattered around. Agents ushered them away. Abe set about asking questions from witnesses. The royal twins spread out, Nuala holding a plastic bag. The elf bodyguards took up stances of alertness. Nuada knelt to examine the feet. The specimen did not radiate any fear, nothing I could detect. No life, was she… dead?

"There is residue. Not sandstone, the state we become upon death." Nuala surmised. She frowned, scooping the grit into the plastic bag.

"Yes," her brother replied, a similar grimace on his face. He stood up, walked around the nymph. The stone was very rough, almost as if she had never been alive.

Abe came to us. "Guys, she was already frozen when they found her. But I cannot sense any life. I have to check if there is an antidote."

Nuada said, "Other sightings have been found across the states, especially close to the hidden doorways. Sister, have you gathered enough samples?"

"Yes." She smiled at me.

Abe listened to his communicator. "Now we have to fly to New Hampshire."

"That noisy thing again? Crap." Nuada touched one of his swords.

Joe yawned. "Hey man. You going to bed?"

"No. More to do…. This concerns the rest of the fey. Both of you go to bed." Nuada injected some order into his deep voice.

I took his hand. "Thanks for letting me come. Love you." He cupped my chin and connected with me for a little moment.

The elves covered their ears. Not all of them were going in the helicopter, which was landing. Wind and sound made it impossible to hear above the whirr of blades. The she elf mounted a strange pale creature with straggly hair. Two more guys got on. In one bound they disappeared into the forest. Cool! Nuala looked enviously at them.

Bye! Take care! I projected.

Yes goodnight. Go straight back and sleep. Nuada replied and jumped into the helicopter.

Nuada

Not certain but it could be a curse upon the maidens. They were all tree nymphs who should not turn to stone, but to trees or plants. The scientists put wires to test them for life. They were not dead, merely suspended in action. The people could not be budged, so we were to stay until some results were out. I waited (impatiently) for goblins to run tests. Goblins are skilled alchemists, the 'scientists' of our magical realm.

The main goblin, Grimwald, said, "Sire could the ancient gargoyles have woken? The curses look like they are of their working."

"You are absolutely certain. Thank you. Go back to work." Gargoyles were not usually active, unless necromancers had awoken them for sinister purposes. But many necromancers had perished during the great Orc wars…. Nuala's heartbeat sped up. Suddenly one nymph's stone was released from its spellhold. She gasped in pain, crumbling to her knees. Women supported her. Nuala gave her water.

I decided to let them calm her. My face would trigger a worse fear. I stood a short distance away. Could she tell us what happened?

"My name is Aurielle. Who are you?" she whispered in an ancient dialect. Her eyes were vacant.

As gently as possible, I introduced us. "I am Nuada and this is Nuala. Abraham Sapien is the blue man. We will not hurt you."

Abe talked to her with the same language. Aurielle began to cry. She did not stop for a long time. Exasperating. I paced back and forth. The goblins were still running tests. They took notes. My sister wrote carefully in her notebook what the maiden was telling her in between her sobs.

Have I scared her witless?

It is not your fault. She is like me, a person from the ocean realms. It is just that she is in a foreign land. Abe confided. It is good we can talk to each other.

Hence investigations grinded to a halt. We waited till dawn. Auriellie would go to one of the elves' sanctuaries, for she was fearful of enclosed places. I pitied her. The helicopter again. But I was too sleepy to protest. Soon I could lie down and relax. This was the swiftest method of going back to BPRD.

I laid my head back, for a brief rest. Sister was sleeping against my shoulder, one hand on mine and the other grasping Blue by his. Blue is my nickname for Abe, haha. Flying was something I would take a long time to like. We elves are more land-based. Contrary to the legends, we don't take to the air on dragons and pegasi. But they would be more enjoyable than this noisy machine. How could she sleep?

"Do not worry, brother in law." Blue stared at me. "It is perfectly safe. They are trained pilots. You can rest well."

"I will wait till we return. I am not afraid," I snapped. His mind became melancholic.

I did not mean that at all, Nuada. His voice echoed.

Abraham, I'm not angry. You did well to calm the woman. I said after a while. He cheered up. Because if Nuala heard of us arguing and on bad terms, she would ignore me again. I hate ignorance from my loved ones. It was still very difficult at times to think kindly of him, even though I have accepted he is going to bear my nieces or nephews. When I am stressed or angry, Abraham becomes a target. And he will not dare to shout back at me. It is unfair I know.

I did want to return to our original closeness when we were interrupted. My free afternoon, I waited till Laira had finished watching the cartoons. "So what is this about forgive and forget? Care to elaborate?"

"Huh? You didn't forget." She looked worried.

I smiled. "No, I am not that forgetful. I shouldn't, concerning our relationship."

"I was asking if you guys forgive and let bygones be bygones. It is very hard?" her blue eyes glittered. She urged me to lie down.

I lounged against the pillows, stretching my legs. "All of us fey? Not all. I cannot do it. Forgiveness means letting them off for their crime."

Laira nodded. "When are you free, Silverlance? I want to bring you someplace."

"That is nice. I look forward to it. Actually I am not a little boy." Bringing me elsewhere!

I beamed. "Did you visit the elf haven before? Joe brought me during my vacation that time."

No she had not. "You're the first. Joe always hangs out at weird places. He won't always let me go. Do you remember the way there?"

"By car, I don't. I shall suggest next time. It's really beautiful there."

"Yea!" She made a peace sign and bounced. My heart lifted for a moment. Out of curiosity, when I read a bible, there were accounts of angels helping us on earth. The Sidhe don't have such concepts. I really needed one when the grief was most.

Since I had almost finished the latest letter, I completed it. The Halfling asked softly,"If you don't forgive, how do you feel lightened of your burden? It will be much too painful and heavy to bear. Nuada forgiveness does not mean you let them off. "

"Then what does it mean?" I almost got angry, but reined it in. The Halfelf was on the verge of something important. We promised to be honest.

"It means you become free. Isn't it a nice word? I can't forgive my enemies too, I have a few. Forgiving is not the same as forgetting about the sins and crimes. But you can leave that pain alone and move on."

"I see."

"Don't be mad, ok? I have no right to criticize your personality. Sorry."

I folded the letter and placed it into the envelope. Laira was in her moment of wisdom. These insights impressed me. I am hundreds of years older, but not wiser. Elves are wiser only when it comes to natural things. It is what I have learnt in this lifetime.

Ariadne, Morrigan, both so different…. I need to redeem myself. It is so hard to forgive. The harbinger mocking my efforts to save father and mother. "Elf, elfie, what's wrong?" Shaking my shoulder.

I returned to the present, rubbing my eyes. "I'm fine. You speak volumes, sapling."

She hugged me tightly. I almost suffocated. It was like the time I just recuperated from months confined in the ward. "Can you let go please? I cannot breathe." The child squeezed me one more time and rolled over.

"Almost thought something happened. You looked very still. Tell me." Back to her normal teenager tone.

"You do not order me to do something. I was dreaming. What is it like to be free in the manner of which you speak?"

It was funny to see her pondering my question. I gave her the letter, said not to open it yet, and closed my eyes. "Aw I want to open it now."

"Don't do that. Be still, shh." Laira chuckled, touching my cheek. I smiled.

It was a lot of things both to self and others. The child spoke slowly, like a teacher. I longed to feel unburdened by guilt and pain. How could I achieve that? For a start, I was on good terms with demon. But a pang pierced me whenever I thought of the puny humans, so empty and hollow. They outnumbered our kind. Why should I forgive them?

But you disagree with me? - she queried politely.

Yes. It is very hard to let go of certain past issues.

Most importantly can you forgive yourself? It is a good beginning.

I reached out to clasp her hand with my long fingers. Turning over our palms, I studied the difference in patterns. Laira said it was ticklish. I did not know the answer to that one.