The Thief and the King (reserved)

[ERedBoyd]

It didn't take him long to find himself getting bored with the intermittent time. He was really enjoying tormenting his little thieving princess. He caught a glimpse of her out on the catwalk looking down at him once. As he turned his eyes towards her, he smiled as she walked away, breaking her limited eye contact. He thumbed the stone and thought {{Admit it, I am growing on you?}} He pushed arousal through her mind and smiled as his arousal was paired with her irritation.

As he made his way towards the stables, he was pleased to see a pair of Swift Rams standing near the stables themselves. They had some dwarves here did they? He didn't know much about them other than they lived mostly in the Northern Regollian Mines along the Regollian Mountain Range and they loved their gold. They would often come down from the mountains in caravans to the Elves and the Humans although for some reason, the dwarves seemed to prefer making deals with the Elves themselves. What was odd about this, was that there were only two Swift Rams, not an entire caravan.

He saw his little thieving princess finally making her way down to the stables along with a few soldiers, her required escort he imagined. As she approached, he offered his arm to her saying, "My Lady."

The two walked into the stables and he was mildly surprised with what he found inside. While there were several sabers, they had a few grizzlies, a few yellow ostrich looking creatures called Chocobo's, and horses. Even found a few elephants too towards the back. He said, "I am surprised to see so many different kinds of mounts here. Is there something happening I should know about other than us?"

 

[DarkWarrioress]

{{Admit it, I am growing on you?}}

She rolled her eyes and then grabbed the rail and nearly moaned out loud. Her fingers tightened on the rail and her head was bowed. Damn that man. Her whole body was flooded with need and arousal. It took awhile for it to fade, by then, the human had disappeared inside. With a deep sigh, Linara went inside as well. There was no help for it, she was stuck with him the rest of day and the next and the next. She wasn’t all that happy with her father either. He had set this whole celebration up and then disappeared, leaving her behind to handle things. She snorted unladylike. Like she could handle the likes of Leo. It was all she could do to avoid his company and his demands.

Grudgingly, she went down to the stables and found him already there. When he offered her his arm, she unenthusiastically slipped hers through it. The very last thing she wanted was to be so close to him. Linara refused to look deeper into her reluctance.

“My Lady.” He spoke as he offered his arm.

“I’m hardly your lady, King Leo.”

She was looking for a fight and she knew it. Why not? Her father wasn’t around to scold her otherwise.

"I am surprised to see so many different kinds of mounts here. Is there something happening I should know about other than us?"

Linara shrugged lightly.

“Not that I know of, Milord. This is quite normal for us here at the capital.”

She gently pulled away from him and turned to ask.

“Would you care to go for a ride?”

 

[ERedBoyd]

"I would be honored." King Leo said as he looked over and pointed to a large Shire horse and said, "How about that chestnut over there?"

15 minutes later, they were riding around in the walled in grounds of the kingdom. King Leo ordered both sets of guards to remain behind for they were in no danger in the grounds and to allow them some time alone. Regularly armed patrols made sure no one came in save the courts. It included about 20 acres or forests and shallow hills, a pair of large ponds, and some manicured grounds for hawking and other sports. He headed further and further from the rest of the people knowing his little princess would have no choice but to keep to his side.

He did manage to come to a stop when he found a secret little river that looked well maintained and he slid of his horse. Glancing about, it was only his thief and himself. He saw she looked increasingly nervous being taken further and further away from her guards and people. When he turned back to Linara, he looked at her saber and said, "Come on down. Let's walk and talk."

Both animals they left tied up to a railing of a path and he offered his arm again to her saying, "So, this place is beautiful. I must say, the more I see of your lands the more I desire to be here."

He caught a side glance from her and he smiled knowing the meaning, "Relax, I make no plans to take the lands. We are celebrating peace. What I mean is, I am finding more and reason to remain here. A beautiful grounds, beautiful castle, beautiful woman." He tapped her hand as he said the last part.

King Leo said, "You know, my thieving little princess. It is possible I know a way to secure our peace permanently. We could marry."

He smiled as her hand pulled away from him.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"How about that chestnut over there?"

Linara nodded and instructed the stable boy to have the chestnut and her horse saddled up for them. She really didn’t like having to be with him. He made her nervous and yet annoyed.

As they rode along, she had to hand it to him. He was trying to be cordial. It was a sentiment befit a king. At one point, he dismounted and offered her his arm once more. She felt reluctant to be so close to him but knew it was impolite to refuse especially since he had given her little reason to deny him. She had dismounted and slipped her arm through his.

"Come on down. Let's walk and talk."

He had insured them privacy. Out here, it was just the two of them. It was confusing to her. Her feelings. She knew he could sexually arouse her. Not a feat, she figured. She was untried. Having never had a beau or even experienced her first kiss, let alone experimented with the other sex. He still made her nervous and he was also a human. One of several races she had been brought up to not trust.

"So, this place is beautiful. I must say, the more I see of your lands the more I desire to be here."

A wary look entered her eyes. Was that what he was after? Her father’s lands?

Before she could speak, he spoke again.

"Relax, I make no plans to take the lands. We are celebrating peace. What I mean is, I am finding more and reason to remain here. A beautiful grounds, beautiful castle, beautiful woman."

Her head canted to one side as she contemplated him. He was a relatively handsome. For a human. He said all the right words.

"You know, my thieving little princess. It is possible I know a way to secure our peace permanently. We could marry."

She swiftly pulled her hand away from his, slipping her arm free of him and stopped, staring at him as if he had lost his mind.

“Marry? You? Me? Are you serious?”

Had her father put him up to this? The Elven King who taught her to never trust a human? No. He wouldn’t do that. Marry a human to secure peace not only between their kingdoms but their people. For someone else, that would be something wisely done. Alliances were always being brokered through marriages.

“Have you spoken to my father about this?”

 

[ERedBoyd]

“Have you spoken to my father about this?”

King Leo only smiled saying, "What a fantastic idea! I can't believe you are so eager to get his approval."

He smiled at seeing her sudden annoyance at his intentional misunderstanding of her meaning. He turned and continued to walk along the path with her clinging to his arm. He didn't grip her arm hard, but firm enough to make sure she didn't jerk away. As they walked along, he said, "You know, it really isn't a bad idea. We could permanently make peace amongst the elves and humans. We would make one powerful alliance against those who would threaten us all... The Orcs and Tauren according to my own sources are on the verge of some kind of alliance of their own. Combined, they would be able to defeat either of us alone."

He kept glancing at her and said, "You would have upgraded from a princess to that of a Queen as well. Also, since I am talking about the benefits of this, I happen to know you are extremely attracted to me even though you wish it was disgust."

He could feel the disgust and arousal inside her. Off in the distance, King Leo glanced towards the kingdom and saw a man riding on horseback next to one of the elves riding on saber! It was clearly obvious the sabers were a superior mount in speed. He was glad most of the Sabers had been killed off during the time the humans had claimed these lands. He said, "Princess..." He pointed towards the two riders heading their way. King Leo, not certain as to what was going on, gently stepped in front of her to protect her as they approached.

The King recognized the scout named Burton as he approached on his paint and said, "My King! There is trouble!"

Feeling the Princess stepping back around, still clearly annoyed, she walked to her own scout. The Scout said, "My Lord, King Dalaris' procession was attacked. The King is missing!"

His eyes shot to the Princess as he was sure she was getting the same news as well. He saw the shock in her eyes and he said, "I swear Princess, we had nothing to do with this and our people are ready to assist in the recovery of your father." When she looked into his eyes, there was truth and sincerity in his eyes.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"What a fantastic idea! I can't believe you are so eager to get his approval."

“ I did not say---- I wasn’t implying----”

For a moment she simply just stopped speaking especially since she couldn’t get the words out fast enough and this man just kept droning on and on.

"You know, it really isn't a bad idea. We could permanently make peace amongst the elves and humans. We would make one powerful alliance against those who would threaten us all... The Orcs and Tauren according to my own sources are on the verge of some kind of alliance of their own. Combined, they would be able to defeat either of us alone."

She could feel his eyes on her as if trying to gauge her feelings on the matter but she remained stoic. For the moment.

"You would have upgraded from a princess to that of a Queen as well. Also, since I am talking about the benefits of this, I happen to know you are extremely attracted to me even though you wish it was disgust."

Oh now, he was going too far. She quickly and smartly executed a half turn toward him and pulled her arm free from his.

“As if I have a care for that. I am to be a queen when my father decides to step down, which I hope he doesn’t for some time to come. I have little desire to rule. I----”

Her tirade was broken by the approaching party of two. The human scout went right to King Leo and sent her to meet her own scout. The news was dreadful. Her eyes sought his.

"I swear Princess, we had nothing to do with this and our people are ready to assist in the recovery of your father."

She wasn’t sure she believed him but the look in his own eyes seemed sincere enough. Still, she just couldn’t quite trust him. She turned her attention back to her scout.

“Go locate the Commander and bring him this news. He’ll know what to do. I won’t be far behind.”

​

The whole palace was in an uproar. The servants, while seemingly calm to her face, knew they were all talking in whispers when she wasn’t looking. She had returned to the palace with King Leo. Her brain was in a whirl. As much as she wanted to go rescue her father, someone had to remain behind and deal with the palace and all the implications that came from this new turn of events. She supposed she could leave her father’s chancellor in charge of kingdom affairs for the moment, but even then, she couldn’t be sure who was in on this. She turned to her personal servant.

“Please ask King Leo to meet me in my father’s study in a half hour. I have some issues I wish to discuss with him.”

Her servant left to deliver the message and she went to change her clothing into something far more suitable to this change in circumstances.

 

[ERedBoyd]

King Leo had returned to find the kingdom in turmoil. The stories were true as it seemed. Two horses had returned carrying bags of heads of some of the guards that had been escorting King Danaris. It had been a brutal scene and had alarmed everyone who had seen it. Whoever had attacked the elves had brutality in their minds and hearts.

When a servant approached him, he was mildly surprised it was from the princess. She had summoned him and was to go with her immediately. He was a King in his own rights so he didn't HAVE to go, but in this instance, he opted to comply. He was led back into the castle after he had given his orders to his men to send scouts out to try and learn more about the abduction while the rest hardened their positions as best they could.

It made for quite a scene as the elves as well were hardening the castle inside the walls. Someone or something had just declared war on the elves and King Leo and his men were in the way.

He reached the study and the servant bowed once more before opening the door and letting the King inside. As the door closed, his eyes set on her bracelet and he touched his ring. He had actually forgotten they were still worn. He had considered removing them but something told him not too.

He walked towards her as she stood behind her desk looking nervous and he said, "Just so you know, I have sent scouts out to see if they can learn anything for you. I have my men hardening positions outside the walls of your castle while your men harden the inside. I saw the bag of heads and I am sorry for that. Whoever did this is particularly cruel and vile. So, you asked for my presence and I am here now. What can I do for you princess?" It was the first time he hadn't considered her a thieving princess.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She looked up from a missive as soon as he spoke.

“Thank you for indulging me, King Leo. You might want to read this.”

She held out the missive she had just been reading. In it was information about his kingdom. This evil force was attacking both lands. At the same time.

“Can the army you left behind handle this invasion, Your Majesty or do you need to go? I understand completely if you need to leave.”

Yes, it would put her between a rock and a hard place, but sometimes, life was just that way. She wanted to ask of him something important but that would depend on if he had to leave for his kingdom or not. For now, it seemed that they were on the same side. Something bad and intelligent had invaded both their lands at the same time. Whoever was behind this, they would have to find out and stop them. For now, she had to deal with going to find her father. For the moment, he was an ally not an enemy. Coming around the side of her desk, she perched on the edge of it. Dressed in tight fitting leather pants, a tunic with a belt around her waist. She had a dagger tucked at her side, in the belt. Her hair was woven into a thick braid that hung down her back. On the upper right corner of her tunic she wore her mother’s brooch.

“I, on the other hand, leave shortly with my father’s Commander of Arms and his Mage to go bring him home. If you can stay, I would appreciate it if you would look after Father’s kingdom in my absence. Call it…….an extended hand of peace between Elf and Human. What say you?”

 

[ERedBoyd]

It was not a surprise to King Leo the news she had presented. He had a courier appear not half hour past alerting him to an attack. He read her report to see if there was anything extra on it and found it was nearly identical in detail. He finally looked to her saying, "As much as I want to go back, I left my Commanders in charge of the safe keeping of my castles. I will stay here for now. If the attack goes poorly though, I may have to return home.

He eyed the dagger and broach and smirked saying, "Seems like it takes a war to get you to return my things to me."

He watched her eyes shift to him with reservation and he only raised his hands a moment saying, "It looks good on you. You should wear it more often."

Listening to her plan, he nodded saying, "This is a coordinated effort. My scouts reported seeing several banners of Orcs and Tauren. We knew the Horde may attempt to attack us one day, but I had hoped that day was long off." He saw mild surprise with her. He then added, "I will remain here while you send your troops out to rescue your father. I strongly think you should remain here. This is not work for a ... well... a woman. Let your men head out. You don't know if the Horde are the ones that did it either at the moment, however, I suspect it is so. It's too... convenient."

He looked at her and studied her eyes a moment and then said, "There is something else you want to ask? I can sense it." He said tapping his ring.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"Seems like it takes a war to get you to return my things to me."

“Once again, “ she spoke with frosty reservation in her voice, “you are under the misunderstanding that my brooch, somehow belongs to you. As for the dagger you were eyeing, this one is not yours. The one you stole is my father’s and he continues to wear it.”

“It looks good on you. You should wear it more often."

Her eyebrows raised as he mentioned her staying at the castle. He did not know her very well at all, not that she wanted him to.

“I thank you for our opinion, Your Majesty, but I will be leaving the castle with the army. I trust my father’s chancellor to stand in my father’s place and mine. He has done so many times before. I realize there is something amiss out there and some nefarious scheme is afoot. For most women, aye, there is no place out there for them but I am truly different.”

She refused to tell him anything about herself. Her eyes went to the ring he was tapping upon. That was it. It was the ring he used to communicate mentally with her. Too convenient he mentioned. Hm. Why would the Horde be acting out now? They had been quiet for years. If it was them, what or rather who, had them all riled up now and why? No, there was someone else behind this. Someone who was using the Horde as their pawn but to what end was something Linara still did not know but she was going to find out. She looked directly into his eyes. Her own eyes were open and honest. There was no shield or deception in their depths.

“There is….. something…. happening with us and to be honest, I do not like it. I do not like you. Yet, I find myself drawn to you. When we return, perhaps we can figure this out?"

 

[ERedBoyd]

King Leo studied her a long moment and then smiled saying, "I think... we should be married."

He watched her eyes bulge once more and he said, "Listen, strategically, it makes sense. But for now, we can put a pause on our nuptials till we rescue your father."

The King saw her staring at him and he said, "What? I am going to go with you. I will keep 2,000 of my troops here to help shore up your defenses and a 1,000 going with us to shore up your mission. I won't take no for an answer. And I know you don't like me, I can sense that. But that only goes one way and you WILL yield to me one way or another."
He pushed on the ring slightly and a wave of arousal rushed into her body. He turned away, not seeing her reaction as he left the office and headed back to his soldiers to pass on his own orders.

It would be nearly an hour later before he saw the elven party finally ready to leave and he had his commanders line up his own soldiers... ready to depart with her party. It would an awkward party for sure. The band didn't trust the other side hardly at all but they had a mission to accomplish regardless.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She had sat down abruptly as he once more mentioned marriage. It was the last thing she wanted and he was being deliberately obtuse about what she had said before. Her fingers pressed into her thighs as she felt the arousal soar through her body, making her grit her teeth. Her eyes simply watched him depart. Wisely, she said nothing further. Yet. However, this conversation was far from over. Now, he had pushed his way into joining her and what else was he going to push his way into?

They met in the courtyard. She was sitting astride her black and grey saber cat. Its fangs were long, pointed and looked menacing. He came up beside her and stopped. She didn’t bother to acknowledge him for the moment, giving orders to the commander and as the troops headed out, she turned her head in his direction.

“You are out of your mind if you think I’m going to marry you and you need to stop pulling those despicable acts with that bloody ring of yours. You must feel less than a true male if you need such things to wring a response out of a female.”

Her voice was haughty. Her head was lifted and she sent her saber on a slow, measured lope, keeping distance between herself and the human king. She quickly caught up with her father’s commander and started to engage him in talks as to how best find and free her father.

 

[ERedBoyd]

King Leo only chuckled. Of course she would try to play on his pride. Did she not know that deep down, he had very little? He was a King for God sakes... he could do anything to anyone at anytime. He was the ULTIMATE power in his lands, though admittingly he wasn't in his lands at the moment.

He watched her ride off as she saw him smirk. He simple shook his head. He was not entirely sure which direction they were going at the moment. This path seemed to take them towards the coast which made sense considering that was where her father had been taken.

Why was he actually helping her to begin with? He had no love for the King. The King had caused the death of his father. It wasn't the King he was protecting.

He glanced up to her and her commander and smirked. It was her. She was his now whether she admitted it or not. He controlled her body and would make her do as he pleased for him when he chose. Initially, he had discovered he wanted nothing but to capture her, strip her, and make her feed him grapes at his throne wearing a steel collar chained to his throne. Initially that had been.

Since he met her though, he had found something interesting about her. He actually kind of cared for her. He certainly didn't want her to be taken captive by anyone else. He wondered how long it would take her to figure out his true purpose? He wasn't here for her father. He was here for her. She would be his at a time and place of his choosing. Until then, let her say as she pleased. He didn't have to worry about his pride for he knew his place in the food chain.

He saw her glance back once at him, catching his eye. Her face seemed to flush and he only smiled. His finger never touched his ring despite the scowl she gave him suggesting she thought otherwise.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

While speaking with her father’s commander, she couldn’t resist the urge she had to glance over her shoulder back at the human king. What was he thinking about now? With her attention swiftly reclaimed by the Commander she glanced up at the man, nodded and seemingly satisfied with that, he inclined his head and quickly spurred his saber to move onward. They had agreed to meet up at a chosen rendezvous point further up the way. That left her to ride with King Leo for the remainder of the way, much to her chagrin. The Universe was simply not on her side. She had been hoping to use the Commander as a buffer between her and King Leo, now, that choice had been taken out of her hands. Linara simply had no choice but to wait for the king to join her.

She sat astride her saber, forearms resting on the pommel of the saddle and was deep in thought. About? The good King Leo. Sarcasm was her way of putting a barrier up between thoughts of him and herself. She hardly thought of him as good even though, she had to acknowledge, that Leo had chosen to stay with her when the fighting had broken out despite the fact that his kingdom as well was under attack. She had been partially hoping to leave him lodged in her father’s kingdom while she went to retrieve her father, even though that thought left qualms in her mind. A human left in an Elven kingdom while the Elven king and princess were away? There was no telling what kind of havoc that would have caused. No, even though it was not what she personally wanted, it was better this way, that he accompany them as he stated he would. Still, she did not trust him and wondered if both she and her father were being lured into a trap by humankind. However, that made little sense since his kingdom was also under attack or so they were told and who would know any wiser. Time would tell she supposed.

When King Leo joined her, silently, they turned their mounts to the direction they were headed. She did not feel like making small talk with him. So perhaps the silence stood them well. Only, she couldn’t take it. Shifting slightly in her saddle she addressed him.

“What do you want from me, King Leo?”

Her curious tone rang between them.

“And why have you agreed to go with me? The commander would see to my safety if need be, but I can promise you right now, that it wouldn’t be necessary. Come what may, I can hold my own on the battlefield.”

 

[ERedBoyd]

"I am sure that is what you father was thinking as well, taking with him such a pitiful detail to escort him. All warriors like to think they are unbreakable, till they are broken." King Leo said calmly as he kept his eyes straight ahead.

After a long few moments of silence, he said, "I witnessed your father in battle. Watched him at the battle of Ridge Falls." Ridge Falls had been one of the relatively few locations on the border in which the Elves had taken human territory. A large force was sent much further south to act as bait to draw away his own forces, leaving the towns of Ridge Falls, Three Kings, Rock Hill, and Forest Watch vulnerable to attack. It had been a smart ploy and one led by her father who successfully taken all four towns with little resistance which gave him access to the Northern River and all the timberland of the Evergreen Hills. His own father took nearly 6 months to finally drive the elves out at great cost. King Leo said, "I watched your father fight and he was ferocious. He had slain so many of our men and I had to admit, I actually feared he might not be stopped. Had it not been for his forces being routed, he might not have withdrawn at all."

He fell silent a moment and then added, "The point I make is, whoever took your father, must be a supreme warrior for I doubt he alone would fall to anyone. You are still young and learning. You have some skill yes, but you are female and your strengths shall we say, are in other areas. I am not here to protect the King my dear... my motivations are much closer to me than your father." His head turned slowly and locked eyes with her making it very clear what his motivation was.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"I am sure that is what you father was thinking as well, taking with him such a pitiful detail to escort him. All warriors like to think they are unbreakable, till they are broken."

She shrugged her shoulders.

“It is what makes them warriors and you have to admit, there are those who can not be broken, even upon their death.”

"The point I make is, whoever took your father, must be a supreme warrior for I doubt he alone would fall to anyone. You are still young and learning. You have some skill yes, but you are female and your strengths shall we say, are in other areas. I am not here to protect the King my dear... my motivations are much closer to me than your father."

“I am well aware that while I do not know what we’re up against as yet, that they must be strong. Stronger even than my father unless they took him by surprise. If they overwhelmed him, yes, he would have taken many down by himself, but in the end, he would have been taken. My confusion lies in, why him? Why not you or both of you? Why did he start the battle in your kingdom and not ours? I am riddled with possibilities.”

She turned her head and slowed her mount to walk as she gave him a hard look.

“Why do you say, because I am female? What has that got to so with anything? Have you ever seen me fight, Your Majesty? I may be young but I am not green in battle. I have shed blood and had my blood shed. You, Majesty, have no idea of my strengths because you do not know me and you won’t either if you keep up with this. You do not know of the countless hours I have spent on the training grounds and not for one minute should you think my father’s men have held back when training with me. My father, despite the fact that I am a female, said that if I wanted to train with his men, they would treat me like one them. If I wanted a place among his warriors, I would earn it,” her chin lifted as she continued to glare at him, “and earn my place I did. There is not one warrior among them who would deny it. I would stand at their backs, defending them as much as they would defend me.”

Linara brought her mount to a halt. She was thoroughly incensed with the man. What made him feel so…so arrogant? The fact he was human? Her hands tightened on the reins and caused her mount to shift uncomfortably. Realizing what she was doing, she leaned over and patted his side, whispering in his ear, her affection. She sat upright again after a few moments to find him staring at her, his motivations were quite clear in his eyes. It made her uncomfortable to say the least.

“Your motivations do not interest me, Your Majesty. At the moment, my focus is to find and rescue my father.”

With that, she set her saber moving once more. They still had some miles to cover. It made her uneasy to think of his personal interest in her. She remembered him with both of those women in his bedroom as she watched from behind a secret panel. What she could deny was the twitch she felt deep in her body as she watched him with them and secretly imagined what it would be like if it was her instead.

The day came and went and before she knew it, they were making camp. Her own personal guards made camp with them, the other warriors were not that far away but enough so. Everyone had a job in making camp, herself included. She had opted to gather wood while the men set up the tents for the night and built the cook fire. The cook they had brough along was singing at the top of his lungs while he fixed their evening meal and it wouldn’t have been so bad, if the man didn’t sing off key. Most elves could carry a tune, but apparently the cook wasn’t one of them. However, Linara was not going to say a thing. The elf was a damn fine cook and she wasn’t about to be the one to chastise him for his singing. Linara didn’t hunt too far from camp to gather wood but just far enough that she could shout for help should she need it and far enough that cook’s singing barely assaulted her ears.

 

[ERedBoyd]

King Leo only laughed to himself as she rode off into her own crew.

Lord Renalds moved his mount over towards the King saying, "My Lord, that one ... has spirit. Are you sure you wish to spar with that one?"

The King watched as she glanced back at him once more before she slipped into the crowd. He looked to his Lord saying, "They are setting camp. I suggest we do the same. Send out scouts and set a watch."

"Aye my King." He said as he turned his own mount and began to give commands.

Ruxor the Elementalist, walked over towards him a short time after his own men had started setting camp and said, "You should know my lord, I sense a great darkness to the North. A darkness that is threatening both Kingdoms."

"I understand my friend. However, if we are build an alliance, we have to share in each other's fate to an extent. What can you tell me our home." King Leo asked.

"A great army seems to be gathering made of Orc, Tauren, and elves... of some kind. Our scouts claim these scouts have a grey or white skin, unlike these. I suspect they are the Dark Elves from the Dark Forests of Quiteck." Ruxor said.

"Dark Elves. Why would they have anything to do with Orcs or Tauren? Something... else is going on." He said thinking about this revelation. He could sense Linara slipping off into the woods. He could point to her, even sense what she was feeling, which was a combination of fear, determination, bravery, and resilience. Linara was indeed a fine woman and would make a good bride for him. However, how to acquire her remained in question. He could force her with the power he wields over her... or earn it.

He said, "If you will excuse me..." He turned and headed into the woods as well, circling around her a moment... before putting himself in the path of her slow walk...

He said, "Hello there? Do you need some help, my bride?"

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"Hello there? Do you need some help, my bride?"

Her head shot up faster than an arrow shot from a bow and she glared at him.

“Don’t call me that. Nothing has been decided where you’re concerned. While I find myself being curious about you, I am far from enamored.”

What was it about him that drove her crazy? And his assuming she was to be his bride, calling her such, simply enraged her. She eyed him up and down and spied the ring on his finger. Without forethought, she abruptly reached out and took his hand in hers, trapping it and tried to remove his ring.

“Damn it, come off! I’m sick of playing this game with you. My father has been taken prisoner and we don’t know why or by who.”

No sooner had she merely touched the ring and her hand… it became extremely painful as if someone were squeezing it, excruciatingly so. Linara cried out. Again, without thought on her part and instinctively, her free hand reached for her dagger and the next thing they both knew, the dangerously sharp tip of it was pointing into his neck.

“Make….it… stop. Now."

 

[ERedBoyd]

King Aries studied her for a long time not flinching as the dagger reached his neck. He said, "Go ahead if you must. Stab be." He turned his neck a little more to make it easier for her to do so. It was evident she was putting some effort into trying and based on what he was seeing from her, was not liking the results.

Slowly, he moved his hand up taking her hand in his and peeling the dagger away from it. He looked at the other hand which was still cramped up in a manner that made him wince and he said, "I think it is time for the charade to end. It is time you know the full power I have over you." He touched her cramping hand and it almost immediately stopped. He stepped a bit closer and said, "You can not speak now and will do as I bid your body to do. You will not move until I move you."

He smiled as he watched her mouth open and words tried to come out. He just smiled as she tried and tried. He walked around her and studied her straining through the commands, her eyes tracking him as he walked around her. He said, "Your father is just fine."

King Aries said, "My team is keeping him nice and safe for me. But don't worry, by now my secondary forces are at your castle cleaning up the forces within the kingdom itself. All you have to work with now, is this little force of troops that I outnumber 3 to 1." He could hear the sounds of screaming and swords clashing back near the camp. He had no doubt which force to come out on top.

"There is no outside force trying to invade. No evil Orcs or Tauren. I have made arrangements for them NOT to hurt this kingdom or mine.... well... now they are all my kingdom."

He stood in front of her and took her two wrists that clearly looked strained to move, and guided them behind her back. He said, "The scouts did well with distributing their pre-planned messages, didn't they?"

The sounds of fighting began to taper off with more humans yelling than elves. It didn't seem that things were going well for the elven commanders. King Leo smiled at her and said, "You will kiss me now." He leaned down and felt her mouth open to his as he invaded her mouth fully! He could also hear the sounds of footsteps racing towards them and he stopped long enough to see one of her Commanders racing towards him, not in his fully armor, injured, and carrying his sword.

The commander yelled, "Princess!! We have been betrayed we need...." His eyes fell on the King and he immediately moved to a fighting stance. King Aries smiled and pressed her dagger to her neck and said, "Drop your sword. Any man or woman who surrenders now, shall be given banishment from these lands rather than death. Drop your sword now please." He spoke as if he was talking about the weather....

 

[DarkWarrioress]

In the sudden moment, her mind was flooded with confusion. What was happening here?

King Aries! It was him. Once more the humans were going to take over the Elven Kingdom. He was doing something…strange. He had her by her wrists, pressing them behind her.

"The scouts did well with distributing their pre-planned messages, didn't they?"

It was fast dawning on her this had all been a plot to begin with.

"You will kiss me now."

His mouth covered hers. It wasn’t horrible she simply did not enjoy being forced to do anything. He wasn’t a monster, he was an assho----

The voice of her commander filled her ears, breaking up her thoughts.

"Princess!! We have been betrayed we need...."

The King had taken her dagger and now she felt the sharp tip of it pressed to her throat as he spoke to her commander.

"Drop your sword. Any man or woman who surrenders now, shall be given banishment from these lands rather than death. Drop your sword now please."

Linara could feel the tip of the dagger pressed ever so delicately to her throat, yet, she persevered.

“Don’t listen to him, Commander. Don’t do it.”

The tip pierced barely into her soft flesh. She could feel a dribble of blood on her neck.

“That’s an order, Commander. Do not give in to this…this… human.”

Each word she spat out made the dagger tip press into her skin more. Surely there was something she could do. Her eyes were on the Commander.

Suddenly she went limp against the human king. Her body slumped against him. It served to loosen the dagger from her throat. Quickly inserting her hand between her neck and the hand that held the weapon on her, she swiftly gave a hard push as she twisted her body to be behind him, forcing his hand behind his back. She plucked the dagger from his fingers and pressed its tip into his spine. Standing on tiptoe, she whispered in his ear.

“You will not use that magic on me again, King Aries or I swear to you, on the pain you would inflict upon me, I will thrust this dagger into your spine first. Now, I suggest we be civil about all this. Our Nations must co-exist. Peacefully. You will send word along with my Commander to where my father is being held hostage and you will release him and in the meantime, you and I will come to terms, My King.”

The last she spoke with deliberation. There was only one way the two nations could live in harmony and since she was the only child of her Father’s, it fell to her to secure that peace. While she was hardly enamored with this human King, she would marry him. She was not in love with him but something about him made her twitch in all the right places and she wanted to explore that. Regardless.

 

[ERedBoyd]

"Well well well.... looks like I done gone and got myself in a bit of a jam." King Aries said with almost mocking jest. He said, "I fear the time for peace is over, my dear wife... the time for making deals is over." He moved his finger to his ring and just barely touched the gem. 'Paralyzed' He pushed into her head. He heard more men coming from behind the Commander and the large man spun to find 8 humans seemingly rising up from the forest, all facing the Commander!

He said, "Well, seems like we got us a little bit of a problem. You see... you kill me, and my men kill your Commander and the rest of your troops, then go out and finish off your father as well."

He heard her moan and strain. It seemed she may have realized that he had paralyzed her entire body, making her unable to move even an inch. He turned his head slightly and said, "What was that my dear? You... you will give up the knife to keep your Commander safe? Well that is might generous of you. Men, take his weapons and return him back to the others.

He felt that dagger still pressed into his back and he could almost feel the strain she was feeling trying to move even a small bit. He slowly pulled away from her and turned to face him. She remained frozen in place, only her eyes staring hate at him. He reached over and removed the dagger from her hand and said, "Oh... you stuck me... or... maybe that blood on the tip is yours. Did I hurt you?" He touched the spot on her neck and saw the tiny pin prick where he had put the knife. He leaned in and kissed it tenderly as he tucked his dagger back into his sheath.

He took a moment and said, "I should probably check to make sure you aren't packing any other secret weapons. He walked behind her and ran his hands along her frozen shoulders and her back, her sides, finding a pair of daggers tucked in hidden sheaths. He reached around and fondled his soon to be wife and smiled when he found a small vial of something tucked between her breasts, slid it out and tossed it to the ground. The contents began to hiss and steam as it spilled onto the ground. He pressed his body into her, his cock pressing into her ass as he ran his fingers along her hips, finding three more daggers. He removed her belt and unfastened her pants, sliding a hand inside her pants looking for more weapons saying, "Hmm... nothing here but your most powerful weapon..." He ran his fingers along her wet folds of her pussy and whispered for her benefit alone, "Is this making you ... horny?"

He finally checked each leg and boot, finding two more daggers as well. He chuckled, buttoned her pants back up and then said, "Rope please."

One of his soldiers pulled a few yards of hemp rope and the King touched his ring once more. He said, "I want you to kill the Commander if she even attempts to fight me." He touched his ring and she was able to move once more. He said, "Put your arms behind your back please... " Three swords were aimed at the older Commander as the King waited.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"Put your arms behind your back please... "

Helplessness. She hated it. She hated being at the mercy of someone else’s whim. Now, here she was at this… this… human’s mercy. She shot her commander an apologetic look. She would not have his death, though he would have gladly given it, on her soul. Slowly she put her hands to the small of her back. Damn the man for finding all of her weapons too. Her mind never stopped. Twisting and turning it kept trying to come up with a path of escape. Aries had the upper hand, and knew it, with that damn ring. There had to be a way out of this!

“You say my father is well. How do I know you aren’t lying to me?”

He stood behind her, but not too close, she could feel. Perhaps the human was wise after all. She could feel the rope twine about her wrists, not too tightly as to chafe her skin alarmingly, but tight enough, much to her dismay, so she couldn’t escape it. All he needed to do was make a mistake, no matter how small and it would be all she needed.

"What do you plan to do now, King Aries?"

She spat out his name as if it were poison on her lips.

 

[ERedBoyd]

"So here is how things are going to work. Men... take him." King Aries said and they watched as the Commander was checked for weapons as well and bound equally as tight. He pushed her forward a bit to get her moving and said, "Your father is going to come back to the castle now since he had been in our custody for a time... oh don't worry, he has been well taken care of... his guards... not so much. You see... i need him for a very specific task."

As they walked, he kept a firm grip on her arm as well and he said, "He is going to come back to the Kingdom and he is going to officiate our wedding ceremony. He is the only one capable of it you see in your customs. Once this is completed, he will surrender his crown to me as the rightful ruler of the kingdom. Once that is done, I will grant him a banishment from the kingdom to live his golden years on a beach somewhere. If he doesn't do as I ask, I will not hurt him.... he will be forced to watch his daughter being used in ways that would make ... well an elf blush in shame."

They moved into the clearing and it was evident a battle had occurred. Dozens were dead from both sides but it was the few remaining else left alive that showed how bad the battle went. Of the 250 in her party, only about 30 remained on their knees and under guard. He smiled and said, "Well done men! I have my prize now..." He leaned in and said, "If you do or try anything stupid, well... have no hesitations ending their lives as opposed to yours. Now... tell these soldiers your forces have surrendered and should follow my commands now."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

He gave her a little nudge forward and her feet moved. As much as she wanted to be stubborn, this moment wasn’t the time for it. Not. Yet. She jerked on her arm.

“And if he refuses?”

She knew her father all too well. He’d rather die than force his daughter into something especially with a human and to add to that, Aries wanted her father to also turn over his crown? Her brows furrowed slightly in thought as she walked. She had some vague idea how this human was going to use her to get his way. Now all she had to do was find some way to circumvent all this to come, but how. Her mind worked furiously as they walked. As they came into a clearing, her footsteps faltered. Everywhere she looked, there lying on the field, were those who paid the price. He stopped beside her.

"Well done men! I have my prize now..."

She jerked on her captive arm again but to no avail.

"If you do or try anything stupid, well... have no hesitations ending their lives as opposed to yours. Now... tell these soldiers your forces have surrendered and should follow my commands now."

Define stupid.

Of course, she dared not speak the words aloud. Instead she shot him a look that was sheer defiance. Instead, she spoke in Elvenish before he could stop her and watched as her men dropped their weapons.

She prayed her father’s mage was carrying out his part in the plan.

"Happy now? And let go of me."

 

[ERedBoyd]

"Let go of you? I don't think so sweet princess. You see, even though you are just a woman, you are quite clever for a woman. That would mean that you have some contingency plan in place in the event of something like this so, well... I think I will just keep you distracted for now... you know... " He touched his ring and pushed every ounce of seductive desperate need and pure wanton lust into her body.

The hit on her was so fast and hard, that her breasts swelled and her nipples practically punched through her top. He chuckled as her knees clamped together and he clamped a hand over her mouth and whispered in perfect Elvish, "Best not say anything just yet... come on. Let's do what I have been wanting to do with you since you stole all those items from me.... speaking of..." He reached inside her top and snatched the brooch from her and tucked it back into his pocket. He then looked to his men and said, "Make sure those elves... cause no trouble. Kill anything that tries to fight back."

As his men nodded, he pulled her back into his tent and tossed her towards his bed. He could see a dual battle inside her with the sensations he was forcing her to feel as opposed to the raging anger she was feeling for his treachery. He slid his cloak off and tossed it to the side, then slid his gauntlets off, setting them aside. He studied her for a few moments before saying, "Any witty retorts... my love?"