Greetings again, fellow Loki Lovers. This chapter is in italics because it's a dream/memory. Also, imagine that all of the dialogue in italics is Dark Elvish. One more thing, when you meet Margrim, think of Gordon Ramsay, and you'll get an idea of how I want him to both look and act.

Vielae, Margrim, and Arlith are all mine. Everyone else belongs to their respective owners.

In the main training grounds, Vielae faced a young male in unarmed combat. While she had mastered all 10 forms of the Surit'sa Rahi 10 years prior, the young man in front of her had mastered them as well, although more recently. He was putting up quite the fight, and Vielae was working through all of her skill in order to defeat him. Nearby, the Master-at-Arms, Margrim, was watching them. Margrim was a stern, tough master, who never missed an opportunity to criticize his students in the harshest way possible. Also nearby was Vielae's only friend, Algrim the Strong, a loyal soldier of Lord Malekith. Algrim was fond of Vielae, and often gave her praise when Margrim ripped her to shreds. Vielae dodged a punch from Arlith, the young boy she was fighting, and saw an opening just underneath his arm. With a shout, Vielae shoved her shoulder into Arlith's ribs and threw him out of the sparring ring. Vielae leaped into the air over Arlith, landed behind him, and went to snap his neck, stopping just short of the final move, but enough to show that she had gone for the killing blow. Both of the young fighters gave a sigh. While both were relieved sighs, though Vielae's was tinged with satisfaction, while Arlith's was tinged with defeat. Vielae helped him up and they both saluted each other before turning and saluting Margrim.

"That," Margrim began. "was absolutely dreadful. Vielae, you mastered Surit'sa Rahi 5 years before Arlith and it took you that long to defeat him? Lord Malekith would be most disappointed. You're completely useless, Vielae. And you, Arlith," he then turned on the younger Elf. "You're skills are next to completely nonexistent. You left hundreds of openings for her! You're fortunate that she did not see them." Margrim stood for a moment and surveyed both of them. Vielae and Arlith stood at attention, not daring to even make eye contact with the Master-at-Arms. Finally, he waved his arms in disgust. "Get out of my sight, both of you," he said. The two saluted him again, and he made them hold it for a full two minutes before returning the salute and allowing them to leave. They practically ran away from him, not wanting to give him a chance to say something else. Near the entrance to the training yard, there was a large fountain that many of the warriors had taken to cooling off in after practice. Pulling a small cloth from her belt, Vielae dumped it in the water, and then slapped it on to her neck, not even bothering to wring the excess water from it. The cool water felt wonderful as she allowed it to soak through her tunic under her armor and down her back. As she cupped some to splash over her face, she caught an audible sigh from Arlith too. Vielae looked at him and grinned as she noticed that he had done the same thing. Chuckling slightly, she splashed the water on her face, embracing the shock it gave as the exhaustion was momentarily pushed away.

"Ignore what Master Margrim said, Lady Vielae," Arlith said as he wet his own cloth again to wipe his face. "You fought well today." Vielae looked at the boy and smiled.

"Thank you, Arlith. You also fought well today. I have never had such a fight with someone younger than me," she replied. Arlith grinned slightly and inclined his head in a small bow, which Vielae returned. As they continued to clean themselves, Arlith's hand brushed Vielae's just slightly as they were wetting their cloths again. They froze and looked at each other. Vielae could not call this boy a friend, as she hardly knew him. However, there was no denying that he was handsome and very kind. Vielae could feel the heat rising in her face. Arlith opened his mouth to say something, when a guard approached the pair.

"Lady Vielae, Lord Malekith requests your presence," he said. Vielae sighed.

"Forgive me, Arlith, but I must not keep him waiting," she said apologetically. Arlith nodded and bid Vielae farewell as she wrung out the cloth she had been using, put it back into a small pouch on her belt, and followed the guard to Lord Malekiths chambers. As she waited outside for the guard to announce her, she straightened herself up. Vielae dusted off her armor, smoothed down her hair, and even re-braided the large braid running down her back. Finally, after two agonizingly long minutes, she was allowed in.

Malekiths chambers were very grand. Vielae saw no bed, but she knew that there was one in the room off to her left. She was in his study, the only place he allowed anyone to see. Malekith himself was looking out of a large window at the training grounds below, where many warriors were still training. Even though the window was shut, Vielae could hear the sounds of fighting. When she realized that she could not hear Margrims voice, she looked around. Margrim was sitting to her left, looking smug.

"Close the door, Vielae," Malekith said without looking at her. Vielae did as she was told without a word. When she shut the door and turned back to face her Lord, Malekith turned and faced her. Vielae was one of the few people on Svartalfheim that could look Malekith in the eye without flinching, mainly because he favored her, and almost never shouted at her. However, he was still cold, and was harsh when she did less than what he expected of her. At this point, Vielae couldn't tell if he was pleased or disappointed in her. His expression was blank. "Vielae, Master Margrim tells me that you were not performing at your best down there," Malekith said, nodding towards the window where he had been standing. With a glance at Margrim, Vielae cleared her throat. Malekith always admonished her when she did not speak clearly.

"I respectfully disagree with him, my Lord," she responded, her tone clear and polite. "Did my Lord see the fight?"

"I did, yes," Malekith said.

"May I ask what you thought of it?" Vielae asked. Malekith was silent for a few moments, as if considering his words.

"I thought you used all of your skill, and you used it well. However, that boy has only been a master for a few months, and you have had 10 years to perfect your techniques. I expected more of you, Vielae, and you disappointed me," Malekith said. Vielae held his gaze, feeling that she had done her best. Suddenly, she was smacked on the back of the head by Margrim.

"How dare you! You dare to hold your head high when you are being shamed by your Lord!" he said. Vielae rounded on him, sweeping low and catching Margrim off guard. As he crashed to the ground, Vielae glared at him.

"Margrim!" barked Malekith. "You will not lay your hands on her in my presence!" Margrim, enraged by being embarrassed in front of Lord Malekith, seemed not to hear as he attacked Vielae. He pushed himself off of the ground and aimed a kick at Vielae's head. Vielae ducked and planted her foot right in the small of Margrims back, causing the master-at-arms to cry out in pain. Margrim was about to retaliate when a hand caught his and Vielae's fists. "ENOUGH! Vielae, you are dismissed. I shall deal with you later. Margrim, stay. You and I have things to discuss." Vielae wrenched her first from Malekiths hand, bowed, and left in a hurry.

Later that night, Vielae was taking a walk to calm down. She had received quite tongue lashing from Malekith, for disappointing him and for fighting openly in his presence. As she walked, she heard her name being called. Vielae turned around, and she saw Arlith coming towards her. Then, she saw Margrim behind Arlith. Before Vielae could even call out, Margrim threw a dagger and it buried itself in Arlith's back. Everything that followed seemed to happen in flashes.

Arlith fell into her arms.

Vielae wept, calling for help.

Arlith, managing a smile, coughed up blood.

He breathed her name, his voice weak.

With a sigh, he died.

Vielae saw red...