Of a Silver King

[Arlenwa Nenharma]

Nostariel listened to Maidhion's singing, grimacing. Even being an elf did not make everyone a glorious singer. She wished for the quiet singing of Doronlas, or even just a glimpse of his face. He looked back at her and Amarth often, smiling slyly. The elf didn't bother to wonder why he was doing so, she didn't see him as a threat. Just a minor annoyance. "Caro i echad sí." (Make camp here) He said, pulling his chestnut gelding into a small clearing. "I like to see the stars at night." "Fine."

The she-elf dimsounted, taking Amarth's saddle and bridle off, letting him wander. He would come if he was needed. "Tell me, where are we going?" She stared at silver hair, watching him pull his things from his horse. "You will see in time." The elf sighed, turning to walk away. "Daro. Tolo hi." (Stop. Come here) Her face twisted into another grimace. She didn't want to be near him. His eyes were dull, always staring. Always. It seemed like Nostariel had gained another shadow.

Maidhion stepped closer to her, studying her. "Gerich faer vara.." (You have a fiery spirit) He took another step closer, which Nostariel stepped back. The older elf laughed, "It's only a compliment my lady!" He held a flask out to her. "Ú-aníron den." (I don't want it) She walked over to her pack. "I have my own." She pulled it out, shaking it. The sloshing of liquid was absent. "Perhaps not.."

Nostariel stood, and turned to face silver hair. "I am going to go explore. I have not been in the forests for quite some time." She gave him a cold stare and began walking away. A thin hand grasped her shoulder, spinning her around. "No." He mouthed the word slowly like he were speaking to a child. "I will do as I wish." "No." He repeated, glaring at her. "Let me go." She spoke in low tones, warning him. "You are bound to me. Ano nin meleth lin" (Give me your love. I think, did off the top of my head)

"Am man harthach? You are mine." (Why do you hope) Suddenly, his pale blue eyes became wild, full of desire. "Maidhion, you are not yourself.. leave me be!" Her voice was filled with more desperation. She glanced at her pack, both her sword and dagger lay several feet away. "Caro naid dithin na veleth veleg Nostariel." (Do small things with great love) "Maidhion! Daro!" She tried to free herself, finding him stronger than her despite his lack of physical activity. "Estelio nin.."

The pale elf placed an arm around her waist, pulling her face to his, her protests loud but in vain. Nostariel imagined herself elsewhere, safe, free from everything. His laughter stirred rebellion in her heart, and she pushed him off her, making a dash for her weapons. He grabbed her foot, tripping her, and crawled over to her, still laughing. "Please!?" Her voice was a whisper, and the elf's mind was too far gone to hear her plea.


{Word Count: A bisquick 504}
{Notes: So, this should probably be at least several weeks after that battle thing =S}

[Doronlas]

The sound of thudding horse hooves, for once, brought little comfort to the mounted archer riding a tall bay stallion. His dark hair was braided in the fashion of an archer, green eyes vivid and alive as he searched the forest for any signs of trouble that might hinder his travel. A grey cloak was wrapped around his shoulders, a weathered quiver of hawk-fletched arrows strapped to his back with a sturdy but handsome bow. At his hip, the elf lord wore a long knife hidden by the cloak but apart from these long-range weapons he carried little else. His mount, Dagnir, moved without bridle or saddle but obeyed any flicker of movement from his elven rider.

"Do you think it is right to leave mellon nin? I gave no farewell to Nostariel" Doronlas said to the stallion.

Dagnir nickered and bobbed his head but his answer made no sense to Doronlas. Shaking his head, the elf stroked the horse's neck absentmindedly, not even truly paying attention to the path his mount was taking. It did not really matter where they went away from Algar Arda. What did matter was that at the end of all roads but one, Nostariel would not be there and for whatever reason this troubled his heart. The beautiful elleth seemed to have claimed a portion of his heart and would not release the claim. Doronlas was not sure if this lightened his heart or made it heavier. At times it felt like he was drowning in the fact she was not around and others it seemed his heart was light while his thoughts wandered over her. Shaking his head, Doronlas forced himself to abandon such thoughts. She was a noble lady and despite his own noble birth, Doronlas liked to think there was distance between himself and the brainwashed fools in Algar Arda.

It was a sharp hawk cry that made Doronlas look toward the canopy of tree leaves overhead. The bulk of his brown and white hawk, Olmec, swooped through the branches calling at Doronlas. Doronlas halted Dagnir and raised his arm. Moments later Olmec's sharp talons closed on his arm as the hawk landed.

"What is wrong mellon?" Doronlas asked, brows furrowed as the hawk chortled and tugged at his arm. "Is there danger ahead?"

Olmec shrieked and tugged harder as if trying to lift off and fly while holding on to Doronlas' arm. Doronlas shook his arm firmly, dislodging the insistant hawk and frowning at his companion. At times he could understand Olmec perfectly but now the hawk seemed frazzled which was quite unusual for the grumpy creature. Shrieking again the hawk swooped toward a fork off their current path. Sighing, Doronlas set Dagnir upon the same path at a brisk canter to follow Olmec and trusting the hawk's intuition though he could not imagine what would frazzle the bird so.

The sounds of a struggle met Doronlas' keen eyes making him sit up straighter and his hand wander to the blade at his hip. He heard a protest and urged Dagnir on faster.

Up ahead, Olmec broke into the clearing where Nostariel and the council man were. Shrieking the hawk swooped at the man, hooking the man's cloak in his talons and pulling forcefully and trying to beat the man with just his wings, lunging at the man with his dangerously sharp beak.

Dagnir sprang into the clearing through the undergrowth, hooves beating heavily on the ground. Doronlas saw only an elf over another, protests from the female. Springing from Dagnir's back with bow and noched arrow, Doronlas trained the arrow on the male elf, face stony.

"Release her or you'll find my arrow in your back!" Doronlas snarled as Dagnir nickered and half reared, stomping his hooves.

Olmec released the man's cloak and swooped away, shrieking at the man as if in warning to heed his master.

[Arlenwa Nenharma]

The she-elf struggled, one hand on her throat now, causing her to breathe in strangled gasps. He glared furiously at her, watching her die at his hands. Nostariel's eyes were wide with terror. How could she have ever known he was capable of this? He lifted her head by the neck, and slammed it down several times, small stones digging into her scalp. She wanted to beg him to stop, to run, or even worse.. cooperate. Anything for air again. It was the only freedom she would have. "Ple-" He bit her neck harshly, kissing her. Her body twitched with disgust.

"Release her or you'll find my arrow in your back!" The command confused both elves, Nostariel's mind barely able to comprehend what he had said. "She's mine." A feral grow came from silver hair, and he continued his madness. When he didn't hear the other leaving, he turned his head to look. "Gwanno ereb nin rana!" (Leave me alone wanderer) Still the stranger continued to stay, and angry thoughts brewed in his mind. "Garich i dhôl goll o Orch!" (You have the hollow head of an orc) He flung himself of of Nostariel's still form, roaring in rage.

Nostariel's chest slowly started to move up and down, lungs sucking greedily at the air. She lay still, staring up at the sky. He would be coming back after he finished the stranger. Then she would be caged again. To remain ever silent, walking through the palace of Aglar Arda without purpose. An empty spirit. She would be a play thing for Maidhion, and perhaps he would spend time with human women to give her a break. That would be nice. A break from everything.

She reached back with her right hind, and looking at her fingers again she saw blood. Only scratches.. Nostariel rolled onto her side, still trying to force air into her lungs.


{Word Count: 312 .-.}

[Doronlas]

How could an elf of any sort try do murder and/or rape any woman, whether human or elven? It was disgusting. Disgust flared in Doronlas' stomach and his veins burned hot with rage. When the elf did not stop his attack, Doronlas made good on his promise. His arrow flew straight and true, lodging its potentially deadly tip into the man's shoulder. "Dôl lost lîn" Doronlas snarled. (Your head is empty) Pulling a second arrow from his quiver, Doronlas prepared to fire again but the other elf was still up and moving. A blunt punch hit Doronlas' stomach making him stagger, an old ache flaring in his abdomen.

As he staggered slightly, Dagnir neighed a challenge and cantered at the elf, swinging his head at the thing's back to try and throw it off balance. Olmec shrieked angrily and swooped to sink his talons into the elf's cloak again, purposefully tangling his feet in it and pulling with his considerable strength as Doronlas regained his balance.

His bow had slipped from his grasp but Doronlas paid it no heed. He whipped his knife from its sheath at his hip and spun. The handle slammed into the other elf's neck before Doronlas whirled out out of reach. He was sure the elf had gone mad but had not a moment to spare for the elleth that was his unfortunate victim. He dodged a blow as Dagnir galloped circles around the clearing and Olmec circled overhead shrieking challenges. Doronlas' back was to the elleth and his focus on the elf.

"You'll leave her be. I am not afraid to hurt you again" Doronlas snarled, standing in a defensive stance that could easily shift to an attacking stance. "Leave while you still can!"

Olmec shrieked and wheeled, Dagnir preventing escape with his constant circling of the clearing. The elf would either attack again or leave. If he left Doronlas would probably still put an arrow in his back when he got his hands on his bow but for right now he decided not to mention that. His vibrant eyes were trained on the mad elf, long knife at the ready to lash out at the other elf.

He could hear the panicked breathing of his victim and Doronlas knew she would need help, if not physically then emotionally. He wanted to aid her, perhaps find out who it was but at the moment his attention remained trained on the attacker.

[Arlenwa Nenharma]

"Dôl lost lîn." The insult barely registered in his lust crazed, homicidal mind. He was too concerned about the arrow in his shoulder. He hissed in pain and anger, breaking a piece of the arrow off so it wouldn't be in his way.

"You'll leave her be. I am not afraid to hurt you again." The elf grinned. "Leave while you still can." He dropped his hand from the arrow sticking out from his shoulder. "Hurt me?" He laughed.

Nostariel blinked, trying to focous her eyes on a tree at the edge of the clearing. She could see wisps of green swaying back and forth like a dance, the wind blowing her long hair around her face. Her vision was better now that she didn't have him on top of her and she could breathe. She touched her face with a finger, leaving a small streak of the blood from her fingers there. Her skin felt thick were he had hit her, and was tender to the touch.

"How about you leave first.. then I will leave later when I am done here." He staggered forward, but stopped, brows knit together, silver hair blocking his vision for a moment. He could remember Nostariel trying to reach for her weapons. Turning to look, he saw they were out of reach. Growling furiously, he lunged at the stranger, not caring if he would harm him again or not. He would get some sort of prize. Whether it was the she-elf or killing this wanderer. The thought of dying didn't really occur to him. He was invincible! Or, at least, that was the thought he had conceived in his mind.

The she-elf wiped at her face roughly, feeling a wed liquid being spread over her face. She felt about her face, but found no scratches or cuts. Looking at her forearms she saw small, but jagged cuts decorating her arm like lightning. The bite on her neck was bleeding as well, but not nearly as bad as her arms.


{Word Count: 333}

[Doronlas]

Doronlas snorted in a rather un-elvish manner at the mere thought of leaving. This elf must be more insane than Doronlas had originally thought. When he lunged, Doronlas was ready. He lunged to meet the crazy elf, dodging a blow and buried his blade in the elf's stomach. Twisting the blade, Doronlas braced himself against the jerking elf, twisting the blade and jerking it up sharply before pulling it out. With a rough shove he pushed the elf away from him, not particularly caring if the thing would scream and writhe in pain or if he was already dead. Jerking back from the thing as it fell, Doronlas looked at the blade of his long knife. It was scarlet with blood but it had no nicks or imperfections. It was good the elf had had no blade to cause such imperfections. If he did, Doronlas might consider sharpening his blade on the elf's bones. Stony faced, Doronlas crouched and wiped the blade in the grass. Turning, the archer froze.

Dagnir had stopped galloping and was standing looking passive and relaxed in the blink of an eye but that was not what drew Doronlas' gaze. What drew his eyes was...Olmec.

Olmec was perched on the ground beside the elleth, intelligent amber eyes looking up at the elf. The hawk shuffled his wings and chortled before fluttering up to perch on a rock that put his beak about level with the elleth's head. He began to sift his beak through the dark hair, preening with such care she may as well have been a potential mate or one of his own chicks. The hawk removed leaves, bits of dirt and twigs from the elleth's hair but Doronlas saw only her face.

It was Nostariel.

He was sure his jaw was on the forest floor for an instant before rage toward the other elf flared hot and alive in his gut. Though it would do no good to plunge his blade into the beast now, Doronlas had to resist doing it anyway.

Slowly, almost stiffly, Doronlas approached Nostariel. Sheathing his knife, Doronlas crouched beside her as Olmec deftly continued to groom and preen the elleth as hawks did to soothe themselves. Doronlas had to tense his arms to keep from wrapping his arms around her and holding her, forcing himself to remain still. His stony expression softened to one of concern as he brushed a lock of dark hair behind a gently peaked ear. Cradling her cheek in his palm, Doronlas made her meet his eyes.

"Nostariel, im al-ist le" he murmured. (I knew not that it was you) "Did he...?"

Doronlas let the question hang, knowing she would know the ending. He could see the wounds but...if he had touched her anywhere else he would personally go into the afterlife and kill the bastard again or torture him for eternity.

[Arlenwa Nenharma]

Maidhion fell to the ground, a crazed grin still on his lips. A reminder of his final state of mind. His body would not be found in the free lands.. No elf ever traveled this far unless it was an army or a wanderer.

The female felt a beak moving through her hair, and remained somewhat relaxed. It was only a bird. "Nostariel, im al-ist le" The voice startled her, and she cringed. He was the last one she had expected to find her here... with silver hair. "Did he...?" "Doronlas.." She spoke his name in a whisper, as if she spoke any louder he would shatter, and she would be alone with silver hair again. She knew the bird was real, she could feel it. Reaching out tentatively, brushing a finger against his cheek, pulling away when she felt his skin meet hers. He was, indeed, real.

A small frown appeared, and she flinched. She was ashamed he had been allowed to see such things happening. "I do not remember." She lied, but hopefully he would not doubt her. Who would question a woman under these circumstances? Perhaps out of concern, to make certain she was alright. "Rim hennaid." (Many thanks) Her eyes flickered in another direction despite Doronlas' hand on her cheek, and she saw the body. Gratefulness filled her body as she looked back to Doronlas. "Rim hennaid.." She repeated, a strangely triumphant smile on her lips.

Maidhion was dead. She would be free! No more council. No more being confined to the palace. No more anything that would enslave her. Nostariel repeated the phrase over again several times, tears falling freely from her eyes. She held in her laughter, her body relaxed, nearly limp.

How fate had toyed with her for many months! Bringing happiness and tearing it from her grasp, then returning it. Doronlas had been the only semi-constant thing in her life for so long. Pushing herself up into a sitting position with bloody hands and arms her face was pulled slowly from his hands. "How did you come to find me?" Her lips were pressed into a thin line, the reality of what a male- an elf had done to her was starting to set in, tears of pain came to the rims of her eyes and spilled over without hesitation. She stared at the body, fingers digging into the soil.


{Word Count: *sighs* 395}

[Doronlas]

Doronlas was worried for a moment that Nostariel would freak, flinch from him or try to run. Only such a thing could add insult to injury. He was grateful she merely flinched for a moment, whispering his name and recognition lighting her eyes. Doronlas offered a small smile though it was still quite obvious he was deeply concerned. She spoke his name as though she believed he was a phantom about to vanish but Doronlas remained where he was, waiting for her to snap out of whatever trance she was in. When she did though, Doronlas had to admit it was almost as disconcerting as the trance itself.

Thank yous fell from her lips in whispers, repeated time and time again as tears overflowed from lovely eyes never meant to cry. Patiently Doronlas crouched beside her, brushing aside her tears until she withdrew from his reach and he let his hand drop. He kept his gaze on her, still worried she might still cause some sort of harm to herself. Again he felt the need to hold her, soothe her as he used to soothe away Rowena's nightmares when they had been but children many centuries ago. The urge was hard to resist.

Olmec chortled his concern from his perch, shuffling his wings but no longer preening, keen eyes on Nostariel in a mix of curiosity and, dare he say it, worry.

"Olmec, led me to you" Doronlas said, his voice still soft and patient. "I thought he'd gone mad trying to go back to Algar Arda when we'd only just left. I will never doubt him again."

The hawk gave a soft cry, looking almost smug but not quite since hawk expressions were quite limited due to physical makeup.

"Focus on the trees and earth, it will help you relax and ground your thoughts" Doronlas offered, remembering how that had always worked for him after battles. He had sometimes spent hours under the same tree, grounding his emotions and letting nature soothe him. Mortals thought it foolish but the earth was perhaps the greatest healer of all things.

Doronlas watched Nostariel, half weary as though she were a cornered animal. He would need to take her back to Algar Arda or at least take her to someone to make sure she was alright. If she could not remember what the elf had done to her, then...steps would need to be taken to make sure she was alright. Doronlas could not help her there for, she was female and he was male, it would be unseemly after what had just happened to her as well as all around improper. A female healer or Rowena perhaps would be suited to aid Nostariel if he could convince her to see one.

Dagnir walked lazily across the clearing, making no detour to avoid the dead body. He did not step on it but over it as though it were just a pesky overgrown root in his way. The handsome bay stood at his master's shoulder, lowering his nose to touch his master's shoulder before beginning to graze lazily.

[Arlenwa Nenharma]

"Olmec, led me to you." Nostariel looked at the hawk thoughtfully, her tears subsiding. "I thought he'd gone mad trying to go back to Algar Arda when we'd only just left. I will never doubt him again."

"Focus on the trees and earth, it will help you relax and ground your thoughts." The elf looked over at the trees, sighing quietly. She would just forget this all, this unhappy moment in a sea of happier ones. Standing, she watched as Dagnir entered the clearing, merely stepping over the body. She stared at the thing silently before looking back to Doronlas. "I think.. I will not return to Aglar Arda." Aras was still back in the palace, but he would be happy there. Maybe, but he would be able to find his elf again. He always did. "At least not now." Closing her eyes for a moment she took a shuddering breath, and whistled for Amarth.

The silver beast trotted in the oppostie way of Dagnir, only acknowledging him with a grumpy snort. Amarth stopped a few feet from his mistress, glancing at the body once but ignoring it all together after that. Nostariel crossed her arms tightly around her chest, wincing slightly at disturbing her wounds. She wouldn't see a healer, and not even Doronlas would make her. It wasn't that she hated them, she just saw no need to go. She knew what happened, and foolish silver hair had not gotten as far as he wanted, but far enough to disturb Nostariel's mind.

Quietly, she turned to Doronlas again, smiling faintly. She probably looked terrible. Blood stained the skin of her throat, hands and arms, and the sides of her face. But what were looks compared to a life saved.. She was alive, only thanks to Olmec and Doronlas. Why he always appeared in her life puzzled her, but his prescence was comforting. His keen green eyes seemed to show an infinite amount of kindness and yet still could look fierce in combat. Her eyes traveled his face, studying him quietly. "Thank you again.. I do not think you know how much you have saved me from." Her smile grew for a moment, but faded again into a thin line of frustration. Where would she go now? She would wander alone again of course.. Just like before. Who knows, maybe she would see Doronlas again.

Nostariel stepped over to Amarth, stroking his noble face and warm neck. The softness of the stallion calmed her, his brown eyes trained on Dagnir moved to Doronlas, shame in his horse eyes, but also thankfulness for saving his mistress. He stared at Dagnir warily, and then rubbing the side of his face on Nostariel's shoulder. "Mas thelich baded?" (Where do you intend to go) Why was she always asking that question? Where will you go? How long will you stay? When will you come back? All those questions were nescessary in the life of a wandering elf, she guessed anyway.


{Word Count: 493}
{Notes: Nothing to report cap'n!}

[Doronlas]

Dagnir snorted softly when Amarth came into the clearing but did not go into a fit. Doronlas had had him penned for the past few weeks with Rowena's moody stallion Caleb. It had helped a little to get the stallion to stop being so aggressive toward others such as Amarth. Now though, there was a different form of calm between the stallions. One had helped to save and one was grateful. Meeting Amarth's gaze, Dagnir bobbed his head before laying his head over Doronlas' shoulder so his big cheek brushed the elf's. Doronlas raised a hand and stroked the stallion's big head, watching Nostariel with worried, patient eyes.

"You don't need to thank me, Istui-emel. You being safe is enough" Doronlas assured, smiling gently.

Olmec chortled and launched himself from the rock he'd been perched on. In spreading his great wings the hawk's wingtips brushed Nostariel before he rose on a wind current and wove through the canopy of tree leaves to fly in open air. Doronlas sighed. With Olmec's leaving it would mean they would soon follow.

"Taurë Menel has been calling her son home for some time now. I've told Rowena it is likely I'll spend more than just a year there for the trees are my greatest comfort. Should you wonder there, call to the hawks and perhaps Olmec will find you?"

From overhead Olmec gave a hunting cry, drama already forgotten and out in search of his midday meal. Despite this quick snap back to normality, Doronlas knew the hawk would not forget Nostariel's presence or her voice. If Nostariel wandered near where Doronlas and Dagnir were, it would be very likely Olmec would find them.

"Will you be well enough to ride alone?" Doronlas asked, though he knew he probably shouldn't.

He couldn't help but be concerned for her. Doronlas could see Amarth could comfort Nostariel but there were times when elves could find no comfort in just nature or animals. They would need the comfort of their people, the soothing presence of another ancient being or the gentle melodies to chase away the fears and darkness. Nostariel may be a warrior but she was not beyond feeling such fears that Amarth alone could chase them away. Fears such as that could drive an elf mad or make them close in on themselves without the light of their people. He feared Nostariel may yet fall pray to such a thing.

[Arlenwa Nenharma]

"You don't need to thank me, Istui-emel. You being safe is enough." A careful smile formed as he spoke. Olmec spread his wings touching her, and flew into the sky. A hand touched the spot his wings had brushed her. Olmec was the only bird she had seen that could show such emotions.. Fierceness, she had thought, was the only thing a bird of prey was capable of.

"Taurë Menel has been calling her son home for some time now. I've told Rowena it is likely I'll spend more than just a year there for the trees are my greatest comfort. Should you wonder there, call to the hawks and perhaps Olmec will find you?" The smile shrank before it disappeared completely. "Of course." Doronlas would be traveling in nearly the opposite direction that she had finally decided on heading. Nostariel would test the deserts of Battonia, marveling at the dryness and vengeful ways it had. Of course she had not expected him to be going anywhere near there. No elf ever did.. save those who had succumbed to the darkness Rhiannon slowly spread over the lands.

"Will you be well enough to ride alone?" Slowly looking back up from the ground the she-elf smiled. "Yes.. I will have Amarth with me. He will care for me if something should happen." What dangers lurked in the deserts of Battonia? She didn't even know... yet, she would travel there despite lack of knowledge. Nostariel mounted Amarth, eyes trained on Doronlas when she was steadied. "Na-den pedim ad," She spoke, eyes on Amarth's mane now. (Until we speak again) "Cuio mae, Doronlas, mellon nin." (live well, Doronlas, my friend) The latter she whispered quietly, eyes searching his. Taking a last look. She didn't think they would be meeting soon.. Battonia was many miles from the forests of the Elven realm.

Unsmiling, she turned Amarth around, giving him several gentle kicks until he moved forward into a gallop. It would have been too hard to stay.. too hard to look at him any longer. He would be alone, and her leaving played a part in that. And it made no difference how big or small a part it played.


{Word Count: 363}
{Notes: Ungh.. tired. Shouldn't have stayed up so late last night. Haha.}