Eleven; evening by fire

The painting is Relaxation and Reverie after the Meal by Marcel Rieder.

Thank you for your patience! Yay im writing again! So happy <3

We kept training. During some parts, he was just showing off. He taught me how to properly hold and use a spear, deeming it necessary, despite telling him that I will never use one. It had gotten tiring, even though his patience was admirable.

"It's an extension of your body. You have to shift your weight accordingly."

In an unexpected gesture, I pulled him closer for a peck on his forehead.

"Let's get something to drink." I said. "My stamina for this has run out, let's continue another time."

He kissed me on the lips. "As long as you promise we can continue later."

I nodded, deepening the kiss. "We'll continue something later, absolutely."

We smiled as we broke the kiss. I've never seen a more beautiful colour than his eyes when he looked at me. I pulled him in for another kiss. He was too delectable to let go so soon.

"Let's get something to drink."

The rest of the afternoon passed effortlessly. I felt as if I was floating the entire time. It took the Princess only one look at me to smile knowingly. The warmth in her eyes assured me that this was not just an impulse kiss. After a cup of tea with the three of us, Nuada excused himself to go to his study. Dinner was equally uneventful, although still with my head in the clouds everything was amazing.

Evening came. Nuala seemed to have her mind elsewhere as well – I hope she and her love have shared such amazing kisses together as well.

After washing up, Nuada pulled me aside to the library room he was in before. The atmosphere was serious. He sat down and motioned for me to do the same. There were two leather armchairs, we sat in one each. Their backs and armrests were partly made of wood, carved in patterns that resembled the branches of a tree. As many leather chairs, they could have been softer, but the cushion helped the curve of my back. The rest of the room was equally beautiful as the chairs. Where the kitchen and bedrooms were mostly functional and minimalist in style, this space was lavishly furnished in gold and dark greens. Several lamps made Nuada's hair glow a warm yellow.

"Have you enjoyed yourself the past few days?" he asked. He stared pensively ahead, his hands folded. I felt it was just a question to lead to bigger ones later on.

"I have. It has been... intense, and confusing, but not necessarily bad." A silence fell. I opened my mouth to speak. Something hung in the air. He stole a glance at me, then lingering. I did not dare. "Princess Nuala said there were things you wanted to be the one tell me? To answer my questions?"

"I understand that you are confused. To me, this was my home. Returning here has brought back many memories, not all of them good. My first most goal has always been to protect my people, protect the ones I hold dear." When his eyes met mine, they were swirling with emotion and determination. He stayed silent. Unsure of what to say, I nodded.

Nuada continued. "Since I have left, the situation that threatens us has become more dire. I had to take great risks and do things I have never wanted to do." He looked pained. "And returning here makes me feel it is almost – finally – over. Yet there is so much still uncertain. I hope you understand I may not be able to tell you all you want to know, when things are unfolding yet."

"What is threatening your people? What is unfolding?" I pushed down a pang of disappointment.

"Very, very long ago, there was a war between men and elves. We suffered great loss, since elves are naturally more peaceful in nature. Our lives are long, but we reproduce much slower than humans, so we stood little chance of surviving. With the help of other magical beings, who were also afraid of losing their homes and lives, we made an army. This changed the tide of the war. This lead to a peace treaty. Since then, humanity has broken the treaty – with the filth of their cities and their industries, cutting down entire forests in less than a week!" Nuada's voice had grown louder throughout his explanation. I felt deeply sorry for him.

That other species are hurt by humanities destructive tendencies was plausible – after all, we have, directly or indirectly, caused the extinction of many animal species before. I reached out to hold his arm. He looked at me.

"I see my anger has unsettled you."

I shook my head. "I cannot imagine what it is like, I hope you succeed in protecting your people. If there is anything..." I paused, feeling as if I was treading on thin ice. A sudden thought hit me like lightning. What if there will be another war? What will happen... if either side wins? Nevertheless I finished the sentence I started. "I can do, I will be glad to support you."

He smiled, and continued with his tale. "It makes me glad to not be alone in this anymore. After I made my intentions known to do more to protect us and all of nature, I was cast out. My father could not go against his peaceful nature and allow me to take action. That is why I was in the tunnels alone, without family to stand with me. A few things need to work out in my favour, and then I will have guaranteed the safety of all magic and hidden beings – without any getting hurt."

"I see. I hope things work out." I pressed my fingers into eyes, for the first time regretting what I had fallen into. This is too big for me to deal with, along with the end of term. Opened my eyes again. "And that we will all be safe."

The Prince smiled at me then, the anger in his eyes replaced by something much softer. Part of the burden vanished from my shoulders. "I am so glad to have you stand by my side."

A silence settled over us. I took the opportunity to check out the bookshelves. Everything was written in a foreign language, it was silly I had not considered that before. Nuada came up behind me and explained the different titles, showing me old books with precious ink drawings of centuries old flora and fauna. Others were music books, or epics that told the history of the Bethmoorian clan.

The Prince excused himself, "I am going to find Nuala, just a moment. I will bring tea back with me."

So I settled down reading – although reading was more looking at the foreign letters and admiring the pictures. The wealth of knowledge and cultural heritage in these books and to think that the entire race of elves was never known to us. That it could have all been lost eons ago in the war.

When he came back, he sat down with me in front of the fire. The heat radiating from it made me feel flushed in the cheeks. He took the book from me, and translated a few passages. It was about a certain species of mountain moss. Listening to his voice calmed me down.

The Prince looked up after reading the page. "When we first met... you were not scared of me, why?"

The moment between us lingered. His golden eyes reflected the flames, they were so clear, so beautiful.

"I don't know, I don't remember it that clearly, thanks to the adrenaline. I do remember that I laid in bed that night, and felt that meeting you was the beginning of something. Of what I did not know, but it felt important. I even dreamt of you."

"And you came back." a faint smile painted Nuada's lips, his eyes creasing to show the sincerity of his emotions. A hand on my waist and its accompanying warmth.

I chuckled. "I was surprised I was able to find you."

With a firm gesture, he pulled me closer, to lean towards him. "Knowing how long I have spent hidden from humans, do you think it was a coincidence?"

I stared at him, a smile slowly spreading on my face. Getting up from my seat, I pushed him back and settled on his lap, legs on either side of his. With a whisper: "I admire you incredibly."

His hands on either side of my head, pressing our foreheads together. I closed my eyes. The contentment overwhelmed me.

"We shall share much together, my Elise."