Long before the battle of the golden army, Nuada loved a human. But they were taken away from him, causing his hatred for humanity to grow stronger
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A smile rests upon the woman's face as she hums to herself. Feeling the soft breeze of spring press against her face has never felt so calming. In her hands, she busies herself with making a crown out of the flowers that surround her.
Her nimble fingers work expertly in crafting the crown. Looping the stems and locking them together to hold the flowers close. Thorns prick at her fingers but she doesn't mind. Some of the most beautiful things can be made through pain.
Soon, her humming becomes singing.
"A man came across this old tower one day,
It was straight like from a book he once read,
He lifted his head up and saw this young lady and here is what the lady said,"
Lifting her head up, the woman picks up her voice and sings louder.
"Moi Je M'appelle Mademoiselle Noir, et comme vous pouvez le voir, je ne souris, ni ris, ni vis.
Et c'est tout ce qu'elle a dit, di di di,"
As she works and sings, she hears the crunch of approaching footsteps. They are soft, almost unable to be distinguished. But she can hear them.
The smile grows wider on the woman's face; she doesn't turn around. Because she knew who it was. She ceases her singing and waits quietly as she continues her threading.
The footsteps grow louder and louder until they stop right behind her.
"What are you doing, Isabella?" asked the soft voice of her lover.
"Waiting for you, your highness." Isabella said. "I busied myself with making a flower crown."
A soft chuckle escapes her lover's mouth as they sit themself down beside Isabella. He rests his hand on Isabella's shoulder, giving it a rub.
"It looks beautiful, just like you."
Isabella's face becomes flushed at his compliment. She turns away from her work to look at her lover.
A handsome elf sits beside her. Long platinum blond hair with black tips, porcelain white skin, black lips, and beautiful golden eyes. He is dressed in elegant robes with armor clasped over them. On his hips rested two swords strapped to his waist.
A true beauty for elven people but terrifying for humans. To Isabella, he is beautiful.
"You flatter me, good sir." she said with a giggle.
"Enough pleasantries, Belle. You don't need to be so formal with me, I've told you again and again." he said amused.
"I know, Nuada. I just feel like I must be formal as you are royalty and I am a mere human commoner." Isabella said with a sad frown.
Nuada doesn't allow her to be sad as he kisses Isabella's forehead. His lips are cool against her warm skin. The touch of his lips send butterflies to flutter in the woman's stomach. Any touch from Nuada makes her so giddy.
"I love you for who you are, Isabella. Whether royalty or commoner, I love you." Nuada assured her. Then he pulls Isabella into a deep, tender kiss.
The coupling of the elven prince and human is a well-kept secret. Only Nuada's twin sister, who holds a soul bond with her brother, knows about Isabella. In fact, Nuala is fond of Isabella and is happy for her brother.
When Nuada and Isabella first met, it was by accident.
It was the start of the war between the elves and humans. The border between the two realms were watched closely so that no one crossed. The lands were becoming thick with blood and bodies.
Isabella lives in a small cottage close to the border. She made a living of selling food and jewelry in the village markets. Unlike most humans, Isabella wasn't afraid of the fae people. In fact, she often helps pixies, trolls, and many other of the fae people.
About a year ago, Isabella took a stroll through the thick forest that was east of her home. She collected berries from bushes and material to use for her jewelry. Isabella kept to herself and made sure not to bother any creatures.
That is when she met Nuada.
Nuada is the general of the Bethmooran army and often does patrols along the border. If he ever comes across a human, he either kills them or makes sure they never come back. When he found Isabella collecting berries by a nearby pond, Nuada was transfixed by her beauty.
Isabella has long blonde hair that must be braided to keep it from touching the ground. Her eyes are bluer than the finest sapphires, skin as white as alabaster, and a smile that can dazzle the coldest of hearts.
Soon after Nuada spotted her, Isabella looks up from her pickings and spots Nuada. At first, she is surprised but soon smiles in greeting. It catches Nuada off guard as he is used to being feared by humans. And her smile almost made Nuada's heart stop beating.
Quickly, Nuada ignores his unfamiliar feelings and demands to know why Isabella is in elven territory. He expects her to grovel, to beg to spare her life. Instead, Isabella apologizes and explains that she is scavenging for food. She offers some berries as a peace offering but Nuada declines.
Nuada tells her to leave or she would face serious consequences.
Isabella doesn't complain and does as Nuada orders. Not before handing him a lily as a parting gift and an apology for intruding. Then she leaves.
After that day, it began a series of encounters between the two. Isabella would greet him, offer him food, and head off. She became an enigma to Nuada, intriguing him to pursue Isabella. Over time, the two became an odd pair of friends.
After a month, Nuada began to show affection for Isabella. He would shower Isabella in gifts such as jewels, the finest clothes, and trinkets he made. Isabella would only accept his trinkets as they were made by himself.
Isabella was surprised when Nuada asked permission to court her. She believed that he deserved better than her. The prince was next in line for the Bethmooran throne. A member of a royal family is better suited for Nuada.
Nuada refused to allow Isabella to believe this. He showers her in love and affection until Isabella didn't have to worry. It leads to the moment that they are in now. True love between star crossed lovers.
"How many times must I continue to assure you that I love you?" Nuada asked once they break away from their kiss.
"I'm sorry for being so insecure, Nuada. It's still hard to believe you possess such feelings for me." Isabella apologized.
Nuada pulls Isabella into a hug, pressing her head against his chest. Resting his chin on the top of her head, Nuada closes his eyes as he focuses on the woman in his arms. "I will love you to the end of time." he whispered softly.
His words warmed Isabella's heart as she listens to Nuada's heartbeat. It feels as if both their hearts were beating as one.
"I'll keep you to that." Isabella said with a soft laugh.
The two stay there in each other's arms, savoring this pleasant moment.
With the war between humans and elves growing hotter, it's been difficult for Nuada to have moments with Isabella. Commanding armies and working through strategy meetings took up most of his time. Only when it's night time or when Nuala fills in for him is when Nuada can escape. This morning is the first time in awhile since they've seen each other.
"Nuada," Isabella began suddenly.
"Yes, my love?" Nuada asked.
"I know this is a tough subject, but I want to know. Is there ever a possibility you'll end this war and make a truce?" Isabella asked hopefully. "I know your feelings for humans are conflicted but if you can love me, maybe you can put aside your hatred to bring a better world?"
Nuada tenses up. Isabella didn't have to look at his face to know what he is feeling.
"Unlike you, the rest of humanity has a hole in their heart that is full of greed. It can't be filled. The choices they make are killing my people." Nuada responded. "If we don't stop the humans from taking more of the elven land, killing my people; they will keep doing so."
"What if you find a peaceful solution to this? Make a truce with the humans? No one wants this bloodshed. If you can make a truce that both sides agree to, all of this can end." Isabella said.
Isabella understood that Nuada's hatred for humans runs deep in his bones. Her kind has killed and taken so much from him. It's shocking that he fell for Isabella.
"The humans will never uphold any truce."
"There are those who will. You just have to look."
Nuada glances down at his love and gives Isabella a warm smile. "I didn't have to look for you." he said.
The two smile and share another loving kiss. The kiss spreads warmth through their bodies.
"Will you consider it, at least? I don't want to live in a world where I might die the next day." Isabella said, fearfully. She takes Nuada's calloused hands and hold them tightly. "I wish to live in a world with you by my side." she said.
"Then be by my side." Nuada said suddenly.
"What?" Isabella asked, caught off guard.
"I want you to be by my side, forever and always." Nuada said, taking something out of his pocket and presenting it to Isabella.
A gasp escapes Isabella's lips when she discovers the item to be a ring. The band is made of pure silver. A sapphire diamond rests upon silver flower petals that curl around the diamond like a sleeping flower.
A truly beautiful sight that Isabella has never seen before.
"Isabella Rosemary, will you marry me?" Nuada asked with a hopeful smile on his face.
Isabella stares at him in shock but soon breaks out into a big smile. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Isabella repeated happily. Nuada smiles as he slips the ring upon Isabella's ring finger.
"With this ring, I promise to make you the happiest woman. I will love you to the end of time." Nuada promised. He kisses the ring as a sign of promise. "And I promise to bring peace to humans and the fae people." he added.
Happy tears are streaming down Isabella's face, making her eyes shine bright. "I love you." Isabella whispered.
"I love you too." Nuada whispered back.
Their sweet and tender moment ends abruptly when Isabella lets out a gasp. A look of shock is on her face as blood slips through her lips.
"Isabella . . .?" Nuada asked in worry.
Isabella's chest blooms red. The thick stench of blood fills the air.
Isabella falls forward; Nuada catches her. He looks over her shoulder and finds an arrow embedded in her back. It wasn't an elven arrow, that he recognized. It was an arrow designed by humans.
"No. No. No. No." Nuada repeated.
Nuada cradles Isabella in his arms. Fear is filling his entire body as he tries to keep Isabella awake. "Stay awake, Isabella. Please stay awake." Nuada begged, tears streaming down his face.
Blood trickles down Isabella's mouth as she chokes on her blood. Tears stream down her face as she mirrors the same fear that is on Nuada's face. Death is imminent.
"M-My love . . . " Isabella gurgled.
Slowly, she reaches up and places a bloody hand upon Nuada's cheek. Her skin is already growing cold.
"I will . . . love you forever . . . and always." Isabella whispered as she chokes on her blood.
"Isabella, just hang on a little longer. I'll get you help." Nuada promised.
"It's too late." Isabella said.
Isabella gives Nuada a bloody smile. "I'll wait for you, Nuada. Whether it is a day or the end of time, I will see you again." Isabella said, closing her eyes. Then she dies in the elf's arms.
Humans didn't turn to stone like Nuada's people. Isabella became limp in his arms and lays there as if she is sleeping. It's harder for Nuada as he hopes to see her wake up.
Tears stream down Nuada's face as it feels as if his heart shatters into millions of pieces. A bellowing cry tears out of his lips as Nuada holds Isabella to his chest. He buries his face into her hair, begging Isabella to wake up.
"This isn't supposed to happen." Nuada cried. "I was going to make you my wife. I was going to make you immortal so we can be together forever." he cried. He clutches the body of his fiancé and refuses to let go.
Nuada ceases his crying when he hears new voices. His pain grows cold as it hardens into anger. He wipes the tears from his face as rage consumes him.
Carefully, Nuada lays Isabella down.
She is rested on top of the flowers. Her eyes are closed and looks as if she is sleeping. Isabella looks so beautiful resting on the flowers. If only she was napping.
Slowly, Nuada stands up. In his hand, he is holding the flower crown that Isabella made. It's stained in blood and is crushed but still intact. He refuses to let go of it.
The elf prince turns around and finds a group of human men. They aren't ordinary hunters. These men are soldiers. They were probably patrolling the border when they saw Nuada.
One of them was armed with a bow and arrow. That is the man who killed Nuada's love.
"You killed her." Nuada snarled.
"I was aiming for you, not her. A mere casualty in war." replied the human with a shrug.
His words enraged Nuada greatly. This man killed one of his own and doesn't even care.
"This proves that humans are horrible beings. You killed the only human that I truly cared for." Nuada snarled. "You don't deserve to live. You don't even deserve a merciless death."
The soldiers prepare their weapons. Swords are drawn and bows are notched back. The men believe they have the advantage as they are in a group.
Nuada draws out his swords and stands ready.
Wordlessly, Nuada lunges forward and attacks them. His blades slice through them all. Their throats were sliced open, giving them a slow, painful death. Blood gushes out in a spray as the humans collapse to the ground. The fear of dying is in their eyes. Surely, they regret killing Isabella now.
Usually, Nuada grants humans one mercy: a swift death. But he left these men to die by drowning in their blood. It's what they deserve.
Once they die from their injuries, Nuada turns back toward Isabella's prone form. His anger turns to despair.
"You were too pure for this world, Isabella. They didn't deserve you." Nuada whispered as he falls to his knees and hovers over Isabella. He places the bloody flower crown on her head. Resting his hands on her cheeks, Nuada leans in and gives Isabella a kiss on the lips.
"I will love you forever and always."