Elf Maiden - Closed for RedDeeDee

[RedDeeDee]

Finally the festivities of the night ended and Valindra found herself yawning. She blushed as she covered her mouth and reluctantly separated herself from Nick.

She quietly whispered "letteller beema" and a glowing orb of light appeared before her. She gestured for Nick to follow her as the glowing ball lit their way through the main room and to a small guest bedroom. Valindra whistled softly and five smaller spheres split of the main orb. One shot toward a small lavatory to the side, complete with a vine covered shower, while the other four circled lazily around Nick, "playing" a light, airy, whimsical melody. Valindra whistled again, and the four small lights circling Nick disappeared. She whistled once more, and they reappeared. She did this three or four times, hoping Nick understood how to make the lights appear and disappear. Leaving the four little lights circling Nick "on", she bid him "Kwelar seesu kaymel" and left him in the guest room, taking the main orb of light with her.

 

[nick_slaughter]

They stood there for hours it seemed. Nick didn't even notice night becoming so dark. As the party-goers left the valley and the music got smaller and quieter Nick felt more tired than he did in years. So when Valindra yawned that induced him to yawn too, apparently this side of the looking glass yawns are lethally infectious too.

There are perks to being a mage... or magess? Anyway, Valindra indulged in a admittedly extremely useful party trick and conjured a ball of light to guide them. It was pretty nifty, along with what followed. It was all that kids everywhere dream of when they think about having some sort of magic at their disposal. Well not the first thing kids dream of, some kind of x-ray vision would probably be first on that list but this stuff would be pretty high up there, and Nick was a kind of kid who dreamed those dreams. Both kinds.

Anywhoo, she left, leaving him to play with the lights. "Oh boy this is dangerous." said Nick to one in particular since he was alone in the guest room. Being a playful sort of guy, this kind of a new toy intrigued him to no end. He tried to repeat the few notes Valindra used to turn them on and off, untill finally getting them right. Then he repeated that a dozen or so times, just to etch them in his memory of course, not because he was trying to see where they go when they're off. Like a simpleton playing with a fridge light.

Nick went to the bathroom to shower. He only now realized how whipped by branches and dirtied by the earth he got after trekking through Matt's backyard and eventually this place. Leaving his clothes in the bedroom he went into the shower.... Then just stood there for minutes trying to figure out how it works. Finally he made some wrong (or right?) move and doused himself with cold cold water. Shivering, he couldn't whistle to wake up the lights in the bedroom so he stumbled out, hitting his knees and toes at legs of various furniture there, fought the losing battle of finding his clothes in the dark and finally lay on the bed, cold, thankful that it's summer so he probably wont freeze to death, and covered him with something that seemed to be a bed sheet and fell asleep almost the instant his head touched the pillow

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra awakened as soon as the first light of dawn touched her face. Her heart felt light and there was a smile on her face. She could not remember any of the dreams she had had the night before, which meant they were the airy, whimsical sort whose only purpose was to lift her spirit.

She quickly stripped off her nightclothes and walked into her shower, gently stroking the vines and reminding them of her favorite style of showering. The shower started with a soft warm mist that she slowly spun around in, then became stronger as she washed and finally, when she was done, became a quick cold blast to energize her

Vilandra chose to wear a simply, gray dress, a modest one that hinted at her form rather than revealed it, as her festive gown the day before had. On a whim, she decided to let her long hair remain loose. With her morning preparations done, she stepped onto her balcony.

And was immediately spotted by a flock of children in neighboring trees who shouted good morning and then excitedly regaled her with their descriptions of the fireworks from the previous night. Valindra listened good naturedly, then laughingly sent the children on the way to their lessons.

Looking around, she spotted a small songbird whose melodies would make a nightingale weep with envy, and politely asked if it would fly to Nick's balcony and greet him. The songbird happily gave his consent to Valindra's request and flew off.

Valindra held her right hand out and a purple orb appeared. She instructed the orb to show Nick where fresh clothes and other sundries could be found in his room, and when Nick was ready, to show him to the kitchen for breakfast. The purple orb bobbled once, then flew off to the guest room.

Valindra found herself humming happily as she made her way to the kitchen to prepare a morning meal for her and her unexpected guest.

 

[nick_slaughter]

Nick was awakened in the sweetest manner possible. So sweet that seconds after the realization that he eased into awareness from the dreamland he felt a stab of panic. Something had to be wrong, perfect stuff doesn't usually happen, he must be late or he forgot something and probably both. Thankfully none was the case so Nick enjoyed a pleasantly confusing 'conversation' with something that purpled and hovered around him until it pointed him towards something that looked like clothes. After some trial and error he finally managed to put on clothes in a way that wasn't awkward when he moved so he supposed everything was right side up and walked out.

He couldn't not notice how lovely she looked. She had great hair, and it practically shone now she let it flow and the sun hit its curls. It seemed to give her an aura. Nick thought he heard an angel-choir holding a long, smooth 'aaaaaaaaah' sound, but it was only the flock of songbirds that gathered.

She also meant business. You could sense it in her posture, the set of her shoulders, browed forehead. And I guess grey is universally acknowledged office clothes, even here. Nick could live with that kind of dress code, then again, Nick thought Valindra would look good in everything. Nick guessed people tend to idolize people who they pin all their hopes to, but he knew that Valindra looked great even without that.

So he went outside, approached her and cleared his throat, and when she turned he smiled in way of wishing good morning.

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra couldn't help but beam at Nick, returning the smile he gave her. She had to credit Nick for his optimism. She wondered if she could be so patient if she were in his position.

Valindra sat Nick down and waited on him, pouring fresh milk over a bowl of warm oats and fruits, slicing pieces of hot bread and slathering it with butter and a dark red jam and pouring him a cup of a thick, warm, slightly sweet dark liquid that had the kick of coffee. At the same time, Valindra made minor adjustments to his clothing, and continued waiting on Nick until he was well into his meal, before pouring herself a cup of the warm liquid she had just poured him, smiling at him over her cup.

 

[nick_slaughter]

Breakfast table was a feast. Nick waited anxiously for a few moments then sampled a bit of warm bread, then something hot and coffee-like, then gestured to his host, pointing at the food then miming how great it tastes. But the question of how on Earth is going to get home nagged him, so, when he swallowed another sweet, delicious bite and washed it away he tried to get Valindra's attention.

"So, what happens now? When could we try getting me back home?" Then, when she smiled her gorgeous, albeit puzzled smile he remembered the speech barrier, then reluctantly tried to mime the idea of perhaps getting the nasty little imp to translate again. So he sighed sadly and traced a shape of a bottle with his hands, then smoke going out of it with his fingers, after which he gauged the imps height with his thumb and index finger, accompanied with some staccato 'nya nya nya nya' sounds. He couldn't pass the opportunity to finish the mime with mimicking grabbing the imps throat with one fist and pounding the imagined face of it with the other. Quick, rapid jabs that Nick thought probably wouldn't do the trick but which were well worth miming. Nick smiled at Valindra sadly for asking for it, but he needed to know what was happening.

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra grimaced when she understood Nick's suggestion. She had hoped not to invoke the imp again, but there were things they had to do today, and she decided that Nick should know what was going to happen.

She did giggle, though, at Nick pretending to throttle the imp, as well as striking it.

Valindra was about to get the bottled imp when she stopped, turned around, and approached Nick. Taking his hand, she placed it over her heart and held it there.

"Vana ami," Valindra said in what she hoped was a reassuring tone. "Vana ami."

Valindra released Nick's hand, gave him a bright smile, then headed to get the bottled imp.

 

[nick_slaughter]

Warm glow filled Nick's chest when she giggled. It was a pleasant turn of events, all this gorgeous-women-giggling-at-Nick's-jokes was an entirely new development and he definitely saw it in a good light. As if there was a bad light, right? Nick was lost in this trail of thought when she stepped back and took his hand, pressing it to her heart. Nick tingled. Everything from the feeling of her slender fingers around his wrist, the warm touch of the fine fabric of her dress, and, especially, the curve of her breast under the heel of his palm, made Nick wonder if he really was outside having breakfast or still in his bed, sleeping. He watched her disappear inside, watched her elegant strides as she moved, long, confident, flowing, as much as her dress flowed, shaped by her figure. Nick thought how never before he saw a gray cloth fit a female figure better than the way she wore this dress, which made him wondering is he really in that much of a rush to get back home... Maybe they could arrange to leave the door cracked open for him? Maybe even show him how to unpick the lock? Maybe.

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra's mouth was set in a hard expression when she reemerged on the balcony, bottle and (now loosed) imp in hand. The imp, on the other hand, seemed in a particular jovial mood. But it had started laughing the second Valindra had freed him again, cackling and making several ribald observations concerning the dire straits Valindra must be in to invoke him again so soon.

As soon as the imp caught sight of Nick, it let out a loud whistle. "Well, shit, you went local pretty damn fast. You ready for the job interview, jagoff?"

 

[nick_slaughter]

Nick found it very hard to swallow the morsel of food he was chewing when he heard the raspy voice of the 3 inch headache inducer.

"I like the clothes... Job?! What kind of job?"

 

[RedDeeDee]

"Did I say job interview? Maybe I should have said firing squad," the imp laughed. Valindra wasn't sure what the imp was saying, but she was certain the creature was taking liberties with her instructions. She said something underneath her breath, and a shock went through the imp's body.

"All right, all right, all ready," the imp said, rubbing its backside. "Okay, she wants you to know you and she got to appear before the village's high muckety mucks, but not to worry. Theoretically, they could say no dice to your currently living arrangements while she works on sending you back home. But that's like theoretical. Reality is, she's got juice, she's got connections, and everyone here without a hick village title is gaga over her. So the fix is in. Although, guy to guy, I gotta warn you, not everyone is going to be happy about it. You ain't the only bee in the field who wants to get a stinger in that untapped honeypot. You got any Bruce Lee moves or something?" the imp asked.

 

[nick_slaughter]

"Do you have to be bloody prick all the time?" Nick was exhausted, more than anything, and it only took the imp five seconds to get him tat way. He turned to Valindra but still addressed his speech to both the imp and the gray-clad beauty that stood, somewhat anxiously next to them and looked on.

"So it'up to them to decide?" Nick shared glnces to both the imp and Valindra "About what exactly?" He more and more focused his eyes on Valindra. Not in a accusing sort of way, no. Nick gathered the story, he found it all to familiar from back home... A stranger strolls in. A missfit, strange and stranger than anything the good people of the village have seen, ever in their lives. They try to understand it, but can't. Then they become anxious, then they panic... Then they fear for them and their loved ones. Then they get angry. Nick sure as hell didn't want anyone getting angry about him, but felt that the cat is well out of the bag at that point. So he tried to remain calm, and by all intents and purposes he remained just that - calm. But all the while his mind prepared for the inevitable. Nick never was a fighter, though he knew how to throw a punch, and if the need arose, Nick resolved to make sure that he knew what was around him so he could grab, grasp for, or push out of the way anything that could help him out to let him live another day.

"What's the worst case scenario?" Nick asked the imp, looking at Valindra, outwardly the same calm individual as he was few minutes ago, but his eyes were straying, looking down all the alternative roads away from where they stood, a helpful panic, flight of fight instinct coming over him.

 

[RedDeeDee]

"For you or for them?" the imp laughed, scratching himself. "Seriously, ice princess over there will walk if you walk. You've been doing a little melting while I've been whacking off in my bottle, jagoff?" The imp laughed. "Anyway, ain't nobody going to see hocus pocus, wouldn't you like to focus take a walk. You're just a weirder than normal human anyway." The imp belched before continuing. "Now, it's when they send someone down from the big castle that you might have to worry. This is boring. I was watching my soaps." The imp asked Valindra something, who nodded. The imp turned to Nick and said, "Just don't pick your nose or let loose a silent but deadly and you'll be fine. Think you can handle that, shit-for-brains?"

 

[nick_slaughter]

Nick looked on at the imp, listening but sure as heck not comprehending the torrent of words that flowed out of that angry little body. He expressed his feeling through a flat, un-understanding

"What? What does that even mean?"

But then he followed Valindra's eyes and saw the mixture of small part worry but majority part urging him to focus on the worried people gathered some 30 feet below them in the valley that looked anxiously at her, expecting. So, Nick straightened his clothes as best he felt was appropriate and stood, half step behind Valindra trying to gauge the mood of the crowd.

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra took Nick's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. The curious crowd below didn't worry her. True, Nick's appearance had raised more than a few eyebrows, for no other reason than this little village rarely received any visitors, elvish, human or otherwise. It was a minor source of news if a relative from a neighboring village visited someone. To have a human in their midst, and one in strange garb as well, was more than a little noteworthy.

Still, the villagers weren't too concerned. Their village mage was friendly enough with the strange human, and they trusted her judgment implicitly. So Valindra stood on the balcony, gesturing at Nick with a smile or hugging his left arm, answering questions from below, and giving the crowd Nick's name.

And then it happened. One of the children below asked that, if having this strange human Nick was an event, maybe it was an event worthy of fireworks? This was met by a loud cheer from the children (and not a few adults), Valindra just laughed and answered maybe a minor one, but she would have to have at least a week to prepare. The children gave a chorus of approval, and there was even a short chant of "Nick! Nick! Nick!" by the children before the children were good-naturedly hushed by their parents and sent off to school.

As the crowd dispersed, Valindra gave Nick another reassuring smile before she took his hand and led him down the stairs to the ground below.

 

[nick_slaughter]

Nick would have been less confused, but a whole deal more worried if the crowd shouted for the gallows, rather than his own name.

"I guess it went down rather well then?" Nick asked Valindra as they winded down the stairs, pressed next to each other on the narrow, winding stairwell.

And, looking at the fair-haired mage next to him, her locks bouncing as they stepped down the stairs Nick more and more thought how he didn't really need to rush back home. His parents lived across the town, but they left for a vacation and wouldn't be back for months, he was single and was living alone, so no one would be overly worried if he disappeared for while. He used to, anyway, going camping on a whim from time to time. What else is this then a camping trip gone amazingly right? Nick smiled and held his arm across Valindra's back. Admittedly, gorgeous women were significant by their absence on those camping trips.So that was a plus. He pressed himself closer, smiling like a gleeful dullard. A big, big plus.

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra took Nick by the hand, leading him through the trees of the village and the activity all around. Their were neighbors who appeared precariously perched on slender limbs, nonchalantly chatting with each other and throwing a greeting pr a wave at Valindra and Nick as they walked beneath them. Valindra stopped to chat with an elderly elf woman, her hair pure white and perhaps her form a little stooped, but her gray eyes were clear and her visage, still handsome, spoke of an unrivaled beauty in ages past. The old woman said something to Valindra, then unexpectedly grabbed Nick's chin in a firm grasp, staring into his eyes with hers. After a few seconds, the elderly elf gave a satisfied nod, pronounced "Ronakwel" and waved Valindra and Nick on their way.

Valindra seemed especially pleased with the old elf's judgment, as she led Nick to the largest and oldest tree in the village, in which a grand wooden structure, nestled in the trees' lowest limbs and blending with its foliage, looked to be patiently waiting on the pair to arrive.

 

[nick_slaughter]

Nick took the elf's hand and spent most of the time they walked through scenery that he only acknowledged as an afterthought, so enraptured was he by her touch. On recollection they must have passed through a crowd of people hanging off trees . Somehow it wasn't weird that they were populating almost every tree in vicinity, probably because it seemed like it was the most natural thing ever, judging but their nimbleness. He just felt the blonde's hand in his and tried to guess just how much strength was there in it. It was a supremely gentle touch, but there was something extremely strong in there too, like a force of nature.

Then he first saw the world becoming a blur, then a pair of milky white, bluish eyes staring at him from point blank range, and only then a vice like grip on his chin, he didn't get the chance to protest against on account he was free from it before he could get over the surprise. Walking sideways forward, following the elf he looked at the elderly elf that studied him for a second and part in question part in bewilderment replied "Ronakwel?" to her.

Soon though they were in front of the treehouse the likes of which he never saw before and just gaped, open mouthed at it

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra gave Nick's hand a squeeze before releasing it, then stepped toward the tree, her right hand lifted as she prepared to open the entrance.

And that's when a tall, broad shouldered male elf appeared, clad in leather and holding a halberd with an esoteric axe blade on the top.

Valindra sighed. Of course Gwaindur was going to be here, and of course he was going to try to assert what little authority he possessed.

With as polite as tone as she could muster, she asked Gwaindur, "Atipu esau varuga saupa dindru, Gwaindur? Ami ducsau prutunu musu nentru avedea," she added, gesturing back toward Nick, and giving the human a smile as she did so.

Which was apparently the wrong thing to do in front of Gwaindur. In a clipped, harsh tone, he responded, "Potintra," pointing at Valindra, then gesturing at the tree behind him. "Amul staki." The last was said with a scowl at Nick, while gesturing with the "business end" of the halberd at Nick.

Valindra frowned at the other elf, but he seemed unmoved by her mood. Damn his jealousy, she thought. And damn his impudence. Perhaps he was the chief's son, but that did not give him the right to claim any maiden he wanted as his future wife. And certainly not her. If Valindra disliked Gwaindur before, she was definitely beginning to loathe him now."

"Ami nuva gumta suvire lajest ucru, Gwaindu. Ami lundpri tenulmu!" Valindra stepped back, grabbed Nick's hand and pulled him toward the tree.

Gwaindur stepped in front of them, his halberd moving to block to pair.

Valindra shouted "Hraqibi!" Her free hand burst into white flames, and she made a sweeping motion. Gwaindur went flying, slamming into the ground. A look of fear was clearly on the male elf's face as Valindra stormed over to him, her hand still ablaze, as she demanded, "Sautelgau kestlu, Gwaindur! Ami nuvauto ferentin vitami! Telegi? Telegi?" The final question was marked with the flaming hand turning an almost blinding white. Gwaindur nodded emphatically and scrambled off, but not before shooting Nick a hateful look.

As Gawindur fled, Valindur lowered both her hands as the flame disappeared. She stayed still for a moment, her back to Nick. Her anger at Valindra fading, the only thing she could think of now was what Nick must be thinking. Would he be afraid of her? Would he be shocked? Repulsed?

Turning back toward him, she looked him with tear filled eyes as she pleaded in a barely audible voice, "Vaurug aumsa nucrez kasun, Nick. Vaurug."

 

[nick_slaughter]

Nick looked over the elf as she parted company and approached the tree. He was mesmerized, which seemed to be the go-to emotion for Nick this past day or two.

So mesmerized in fact that he didn't notice a guy who seemed his age approach and wave his weapon about.Not a good sign, not a good sign at all. Further not-good signs continued to flood. Obviously this was something to do with him since the girl drew him in the conversation by pointing at him, which the hunk didn't like, so much so that he waved his pimped up spear at Nick.

This was unexpected, and unwelcome. Wasn't the first time weapon had been waved at Nick either, part of the reason he liked that he moved in this sleepy town in the first place, much much less sticks and knives being waved at you was a considerable improvement. But nevertheless it happened now and Nick was denied his favorite tack when confronted with angry people brandishing weapons, which was distract them with something painful hopefully and run like hell. Where could he run? This guy must have his cronies, they always do, and he would have ways of finding him, even if Nick knew where he could run to safety, which he didn't. Best thing now would be to defuse the situation, somehow.

The girl obviously had other ideas and yanked him, trying to barge their way past the big guy. And as their path was blocked and Nick already started to lift his arms trying to calm everyone the girl obviously got enough of the big guy's meddling and set off... It barely lasted 3 seconds but it was fast and flashy and left Nick blinking and staring at the aftermath of the scene, trying to replay it in his head, hoping it would make more sense if he could see it in slow motion again.

When she turned she seemed genuinely hurt. There was no harm done to her body anywhere that he could see so it must have been something emotional. Nick was just standing in awe though, further surprised by the look on her face. His eyebrow was raised, he could only repeat "Vaurug?" What could it mean, that she was sorry? Why should she be sorry? He approached, open palm going for her cheek as she looked distraught...

"Hey, hey, are you ok?" He asked in what he hoped was his calmest voice

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra was so relieved at Nick's reaction (or lack thereof) that she felt herself pressing her face into his hand, almost purring under his touch. She allowed herself the luxury of savoring his touch on her face for a minute or two before she reached up and reluctantly took his hand from her face.

Holding Nick's hand tightly, Vallindra waved her free hand at the tree. In response, the trunk of the tree "opened up," revealing a set of stairs inside, spiraling upwards. Tugging at Nick's hand, Vallindra led him upward into the structures in the tree above.

 

[nick_slaughter]

Well this sure felt and looked nice. Nick almost felt wind chimes and mirth as she cuddled in his palm. Nice, nice feeling, wouldn't mind more of that in the future, wouldn't mid it at all!

When the trunk parted to show the stairs Nick was almost unsurprised. Weird stuff became the norm and these people seemed to be one with the forest, so of course that this thing just happened! But worry prevailed, as it always does. So when Nick followed the woman upstairs he pulled her back on the landing on the top of the staircase and cleared his throat, doing the time honored trick of speaking really really slowly so people who don't speak your language still don't understand you but think you're a dimwit to boot. He threw in some pantomime to complete the impression.

"Hey, hmm... that guy [pointing vaguely in direction he scampered off] with the [stabbing with the pike motion] ... he's not like... coming back [two fingers 'walking back'] here soon, right? I mean... I mean what's his problem?" after careful deliberation Nick figured there isn't chance in hell he can mime that, so he didn't

 

[RedDeeDee]

From his pantomimes, Valindra immediately recognized who Nick was talking about, and she could also deduce his worry about that particular elf returning.

So how do you tell someone who might...might...understand one or two words in your language about a pompous ass like Gwaindur? About someone who shamed even his own father, but who carefully stayed just within the bounds of decorum?

And now she was going to have to apologize to Gwaindur's father, and that would only embarrass one of the dearest and wisest men she had ever known. Damn that Gwaindur!

Valindra, though, kept her face calmly composed. Since she couldn't convey to Nick the entire history of Gwaindur, she could at least try to reassure him that there was no reason to worry.

"Nutif akgrij, Nick," she told him, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. "Ami omishune etnu sauvein toarce." With a broad smile, she squeeze his hand and led him through the door at the top of the stairs.

The door opened up to a large room. There was furniture scattered about the room, that was simultaneously both plain and beautiful, but otherwise the room was empty, save for two things: a large pair of doors and a beautiful redheaded elf maiden, built along the same lines as Valindra herself:

https://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/18/64/23/67/d8770810.jpg

There was a stern countenance on the beautiful elf woman's face, and a fiery glow in her amber eyes, as she positioned herself between Valindra and Nick and the two great doors. Stretching her arms to either side of herself, the other elf woman pronounced in a stern tone:

"Kafaker vein fatak onsillul, Valindra? Orbest, sausau fainturs!"

 

[nick_slaughter]

She tried very much to seem like it was all sailing fine, regardless of the lunk with the spear. Fair enough, it's not like I have the power to prevent him from doing anything out here, but the inability to convey how guys like that seldom if ever take 'no' for an answer nagged at me. From experience, the bigger the weapon, the bigger the ego, and judging by the size of that stick this guys ego seemed all encompassing, and worse, took some bruising.

The doors swung open and the air that rushed in seemed to light up the flames. I blinked. Fire made flesh almost, that girl. I marveled at the ability of the gene pool over here to scatter gorgeous women all along my path, unable to recall anyone that didn't look stunning in the extreme. Her tone caused some worry, but didn't really surprise me that much. It was obvious that my existence here stepped on quite a few toes.

 

[RedDeeDee]

Valindra stared at the other woman for a few moments, neither one of their faces cracking.

And then the right corner of the redheaded elf's tugged upwards.

That's all it took. Valindra immediately broke into a smile and the two women rushed toward each other, smiling and laughing and hugging each other, talking so fast to each other and over each other that even someone fluent in their language would have had a hard time understanding the pair.

The two separated, holding each other's hands and smiling as they walked toward Nick. Valindra was about to try to introduce her friend when the redheaded elf waved her to silence. The redheaded woman produced a small orange leaf from one of the bags on her belt and pantomimed putting it on her tongue and then removing it, and then handed the leaf to Nick.