Chapter 85 The Eritun Tree
*Whenever I go into a new chapter, thinking of friends and Nuada fans out there makes me chuckle and feel quite Zen. Thank you for liking my story. It's very worth it to check out my updates. I recommend classical music like Sarah brightman.
We made some progress on my dollhouse. It distracted me from some of the gastric pain I felt occasionally. Salem visited with his own figurines. Wow elves are all natural craftsmiths. "I will show you how to carve them. It's sharp." My friend said, not willing to surrender the small knife. He was using it to make the head round. To be easier, we agreed on everyone being same size.
I let him do it. Indeed, Nuada didn't feel weakened or tired when he was engrossed. Wow! Sometimes the elf would hum to some tune. A good sign!
"Sure. I still need to hold the plank up." the glue had yet to set, the house was going to be multiple storeys and the floors had to be firm.
One floor dropped twice. Nuada demonstrated much patience. As I felt impatient, he would reply with a calm 'don't worry'. How opposite to usual!
When he was done, he said I could add the colors and the paint. I was enthusiastic about that. I wanted to make a father, mother, and whole family. Painted on would be less tedious than finding a source for hair and clothes. However, though Nuada was careful, he nicked his finger.
I didn't notice till I saw the beige plaster on his last right finger one day. Before going outside, he wanted to ensure he had the notes. I had been looking to the table for the paperweights when I noticed the color of his skin and that part was non matching. Nuada always kept his wounded hand away from sight.
"Hey it's a plaster? Why? " I ran to him.
"Fine. Just a cut." He dismissed it. Reflexively, the prince shifted.
"Show me. I want to see." I stood my ground. He let me.
Nuada sighed. "Not painful now. Don't peel off the plaster. I would rather leave it to air but I have to train." He hissed when I accidentally squeezed that part. Oops.
"Sorry." I took out the ointment. He shook his head.
"Never mind. I have applied it. It should heal soon."
Obviously he didn't want me to touch it. He covered his right hand inside the pocket.
"When did you get cut?" I looked up, but Nuada's expression was impassive. I touched his skin. Because of our strong Link, equal to and stronger than their own at the moment, I could Read his mind and see what happened. Nuada had lost control of the knife so it cut. The background was dark, perhaps he had been too sleepy.
It might have been a deep gash. Damn! That's bad. Have you really used the antiseptic? I urged.
I did. I will get a migraine if more people remind. I can remember you know, he said snidely. Hey you're invading my head. I'm going to peek too. His will flowed and opened into my mind as a ladle sloughing in. I relaxed my barriers and smiled. The prince's will was golden aura. Mine would be blue and red. Everybody's aura was different, in the mind of course. This time I did not conceal anything. Satisfied, he withdrew and physically, he pinched my nose playfully. "I'm not a weakling."
I'm sorry. I don't want you to get hurt because…
No I won't. Like the house? Is it nice? He pointed over there. I nodded.
So how is your illness now? Tell me if it hurts. I was so frantic! He frowned.
I had to make sure I ate the tablets on time after food. He had asked me many times over the past few days.
"I'm fine. Once I finish these tablets I'll be okay. " I replied.
Prince smiled. I wished that my father could have been caring enough… that my heart swelled. He was walking ahead of me. I rubbed at my eyes. I should forget the past.
"Laira, what's wrong?" Nuada enquired.
"Nothing." He opened his bag and offered me tissues. I accepted it. "Thanks."
He waited for an explanation. After a pause I said that I wished people were so kind to me earlier. I had been lonely. Before discovering my gifts, the only one strong enough was finding paths. I had so much to say. Just like when he was upset when Nuala shut him out, I didn't know I was so pent-up. "Sorry. I didn't intend to talk so much. Thirsty."
Somebody interrupted, yelling his name. An odd looking woman with six eyes was blubbering and agents were holding her back. Hellboy and Abe were beside her. "Yo, who's she?"
Nuada had to attend to that. While they consoled her, he Sent to me, I understand. Let's talk more later. I'm sorry.
He turned to me and waved.
Closer to midday, I waited at the forest, outside the Bureau, sitting under the Eritun tree. Its bough was pinkish and the flowers had fallen all over, blanketing the grass with purple spots. I remembered he had looked crestfallen when he told me, I am a sinner, I killed…. My own father. You are free to judge me. My best friend had cried when he admitted this and then he held me close when I reassured I would always be friends. I didn't see his tears but his tone had been soft and wavering when we hugged.
He would always know where to find me….
I began sketching the scenery. Overhanging blossoms and bushes were beautified by the sun. Slight rustling. "Am I late?" the melodious voice followed. Nuada was in a light cotton shirt, and he had one arm braced against the trunk. "That is nice!"
"Thank you. Who was it?" I made space beside me. He gracefully lowered himself and then put a container down. "Yummy!" The delicious brown cake friends would make, but they did not have chocolate. It was caramel…. I got to watch how Uriel's aunt made it.
"I am happy you shared. Indeed. I was as lonely as you felt. At least you're not alone, " Nuada said. He closed his eyes. I started to sketch him.
"Why? You can act like santa's elves." I joked. Everytime it was Christmas time, he would get offended that people thought of their people in that way. The way he blew up was not scary, since we were already accustomed to it. Only Abraham Sapien would be upset.
Nuada snorted. "Not going into that. I have always been serious."
"Nah, I'm sure you got boisterous too. All boys are like that." When you get this close, you know when and how to discuss a topic. He woke up and glared at me. I held up his portrait. He studied the picture carefully.
"What happened just now? Tell me." I persisted.
My friend's expression was why-do-you-annoy-me. "I can't. Private. She needed help. I wish my name is not easily remembered. One time, almost all of the east provinces summoned me. I could not be everywhere at once." Each part of the fae lands was divided into north south etc, and were located under troll bridges. If not, the illusory glamour covered the remaining sanctuaries. There was a huge bridge, a moveable one that gave them safe passage to Ireland. Nuala had described how they both reached the Chambers quicker than a plane. I never mentioned it, for speaking of it was a distant memory to her twin and made him upset. "I wanted to hide." He admitted.
I mused it was not possible- too tall! We chuckled. "Let's not go into that. I want to be at peace."
"Ok. Or just say be cool." I gestured and mimed the shades.
He smiled. "I speak fluent English. I think I won't do the slangs and short forms. Hm my ears are sharper than pencils in your picture. Sure I look so funny?"
"Yup."
We shared the cake. He insisted I take more of it. I asked if he remembered what happened here. After a long pause, he replied, I think so. I told you about, myself. And my secret. Not many people know about the… regicide. Recently, this deed has been erased permanently from the records. It does not matter. I still cannot forget the events of that night. Lirael you have seen it?
He opened his eyes and we looked at each other. "No." I had only peeked a bit as his sister showed me but we had been distracted shortly after. Nuada sighed. "I don't need to, love. I love you despite all of the past. My mother…"
"Yes Sharon didn't ask me. We have the fabrication, my parents are merchants away on a long trip. Must we continue this deception?" he asked, smiling a little. His mood was not as melancholic I was pleased to note. I hugged him close.
"I don't want her to think badly of you. Don't worry Noowa. Everything is gonna be cool!"
He chuckled, I could sense the vibration leaning upon his shoulder. "Okay I shall try to pretend it will work. I do warn you,I am a bad liar though. People will find out, it's a fey thing. A trait."
Is that because it is the right answer? The prince distanced me with his arms. The warrior's gaze did not allow one to back down or look away. I smiled.
"Hm I see."
"See what?" I raised my brows and hands.
"The truth. Thank you. I am moved." The darkness of his lips were emphasized by his scowl and the honor scar. Well, I couldn't possibly let mum and granddad know that he had killed his father. It'd be a great sin in their view, and I might be forbidden to speak to princie. They would also have great fear. "Hey what are you dreaming about? Don't forget I am here," he said.
Then he asked me not to be shy and eat more of the cake. "Haha. I like spending time together. Don't want any? But we should eat regularly."
He patted his stomach. "I had an overtly full meal when they had a function. People pushed so much food to me that I wanted to throw up. You should have been there. Take more, don't be shy."
Nuada was gazing out at the scenery before us. After a while, we took turns spying what animals were where. I was improving, and he was pleased. "I hope they keep this place. It's amazingly pristine and serene."
I recalled how panicked he had been when I ventured a bit further. Nuada sighed. "You are under my care. When I went missing you were not worried?"
I had to admit I was. Same degree of pain and panic too. "For me I am quite safe here. We always move around this place too." Elf watched me with his sternness, and inside did not deem me a highly alert person. You just got well. Take it easy, friend.
I wondered why the bugs did not bother him. Whenever an elf sat, the ants would move away, not onto them. He was so amused. "Really. Maybe something biological stops us from smelling like honey to them. I shall try not showering."
I pinched my nose. "I used to not bathe when it was very cold and there wasn't enough water. If I used up the water, worse." He was justifying his stand.
We shared some mirth. I imagined him as a dark brown elf. "Try to smear some repellant on. I don't mind. I'm worried one day they will find out. Won't it be worse?" he picked up a branch and looked at it.
"You don't have to.. ah do the erase of memory. You've done it before! Right?" I gave a grin. He had done it to Manning. The thing was, this skill could not be controlled, it might wipe out more than the moment planned.
We have the rest of the day together. By the way I have finished the whole stack you lent me. He replied changing the subject. I nodded. We spoke of trivial things, and his heart was much lighter. Liz had given me some photos when she came here on other days. One day we should get together again.