Cracks in the Foundation

[seyennaathenial]

Date: Sometime in March
Time Frame: about 5:30 pm
Place: The Elven Kingdom
Status: Open to anyone

Step, step, step. Her presence was quiet among the leaves that seemed to swirl around her feet as she entered the Elven realm. She had easily handed her one weapon of choice to guards, for she had no reason to keep it. Had she really wanted to protect herself, she could, and she knew that, without a physical weapon. After all, was the body not a weapon in itself? Ah but she did not like to carry around such thoughts in her head. They were bitter and cold, and she would rather think of nicer thoughts, like seeing her grandparents again.

Then again, she thought quietly, even they have a streak of darkness about them. They knew her not as Seyénna, but as Etera, and they certainly didn’t know she was Kendarnometh’s daughter. That is a fact she had kept well hidden from them, or she was sure they would not let her in their home. After all, she still remembered the first time she had met her relatives. They had openly scorned her as being a “little abomination” and a “monster,” and it still hurt, even after all these years…yet Seyénna was not a bitter person. Instead she merely chose to forgive them for their ignorance, and chose to go on. Now however, as she was surrounded by a sea of elves, for the first time in a long time, she blushed and felt out of place.

Why had she come back here? It wasn’t as though any of them wanted her here…not if they knew what she truly was. And at the same time, you and Father struggle to find your place in the humans world as well. You have no glamours…and you know Father doesn’t exactly fit in. A voice in the back of her head murmured, and truly it was a bittersweet thought. One half of her dwelled on the bitterness, knowing she would never completely find her place so long as she lived, literally being torn in two different directions by two different blood lines, but the other half of her was amused by the ‘conscience’ in the back of her head, for it was true. She blended in easier than her father, being half elf, but he? Being a full elf? If the dark hair and bronze eyes weren’t enough, the pale skin and aristocratic way he held himself surely would.

She shivered in a light lavender cloak that deepened in color and changed all the way down to a medium blue at the tips. Tugging it closer around her, she looked around her. She knew better than to raise her head up, but instead she kept it low and polite. Out of the corners of her eyes however, she saw the lords and ladies walking and lounging and talking low in Elvish. Where are my grandparents? She thought quietly, furrowing her cinnamon brow ever so slightly. It wasn’t like them to be late.

To pass the time she opened up the pack she kept with her and half smiled, pulling out a sketch book. In the human realm, she was beginning to be well known for her artwork. Surely here, she would find subjects for a simple sketch, wouldn’t she? And she didn’t think they would mind too much, for they really weren’t likely to pay attention to her, now would they? No, it wasn’t likely. They had too much to do, and too much to talk about, and so she took this perfect opportunity.

Quietly, with soft, elegant movements, she brought out the drawing utensil and opened the sketchbook to an empty page, and was content to sit in silence, the only sound being her pencil moving across the page. She seemed very peaceful that way, but in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but worrying over her grandparents…

[andonxund]

Andon's feet made a loud clanking sound against the stony floor as he moved into the Elven Realm.
The last time he had been here was lifetimes ago, but the memory of it played in his mind like it happened moments ago...

*The crowds were yelling, shouting, screaming for Andon's head.

Yet Master Andon Xund stood silent, not a sliver of emotion on his then handsome face.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself, Xund? Before your fate is sealed?" King Balor called out over the din of the crowd.

Still Andon stood expressionless, silent, uncaring. He made no move to acknowledge the Elven King, no motion of hate, nor fear. He simply stood, and waited for the inevitable.

"So be it!" The Elven King called out, and the room went deathly quiet.
"Andon Xund!" King Balor began.

"Master. Andon Xund," the dark elf corrected.

King Balor paused for a moment, his brow furrowed, a look of spite on his face.
"Andon Xund. You have been judged by a council of your peers and have been found guilty of treason to your King," The Elf King stated in a booming voice.

"I serve no King. I serve the illustrious Queen Lolth, and all her matrons, and to her, I have served no treason," Andon replied simply.

"That woman is no royalty. And you are no master. You have committed treason against the true King, and so we sentence you to imprisonment, for all your life, may it never end," boomed the King.

"So be it."*

Andon snapped out of his memory, realizing that his presence was a new disturbance to the elves present in the chamber. They had formed a sort of circle around him, issuing him fervent looks and speaking in hushed tones. Had he a mouth, he would smile. Andon had played out this moment in his mind thousands of times. What would he do to the King, what he would say to his elven cousins...but things were so different.
There was no King. And he was now under the direct command of Prince Nuada himself. Above all those around him. He supposed that if his people had been allowed to wipe out the humans in the first place, than this problem would never have come to pass. The elves would be flourishing, rather than clinging to the last vestiges of their Kingdoms.
He walked further into the chambers, the circle the elves had made around him followed. He noticed, suddenly, another small circle the elves were making around a seated young woman. Another Dark Elf rescued by the Prince perhaps?
Andon moved toward her, and found himself surprised
"A human?" He said aloud in his odd metallic voice, as he got closer to her.

[seyennaathenial]

Time seemed to stop for the young half elf as she lifted her pencil and put it to the paper. She concentrated and felt a rush of energy within herself, like she had so many times before. It was both painful and a joy to draw, because although she loved it, it also caused her to have memories…memories she had long tucked away.

She didn’t mean to have them, but as she took in the details around her, she couldn’t help it. Little things like the swish of a lady’s skirt or the delicate smell of perfume reminded her of her long dead mother, the sounds of Elvish around her reminded her of her father and how proud and strong he once stood, and how happy the three of them had been. This odd mix of happiness and sadness seemed to spur her into a sort of madness, ignoring all around her, merely invested in the art…Her pencil seemed to take on a life of its own. Simple sketches seemed to flesh out and become real on the page, until one could almost see the figures dancing and laughing on the page, as real as they were in the court.

There was a rustle closer to her, and Seyénna noticed someone peering over her shoulder. She turned her face up to them, and smiled, and they smiled back, because they did not see her secret. She did not want them to, and so they did not. Another pair of footsteps was heard, this time to her left, and another elf drew near. Then another and another…they were muttering and murmuring, but unlike the nasty whispers she knew as a child, now they looked at her with approval and kindness, thinking she was one of their own.

“Do you see what skill this young elf has? She brings the creatures to life with the stroke of her hand!”

“It is quite amazing…I wonder how she does it?”

“Look, there you are Balenadusk!”

“Where?” The woman named Balenadusk asked, and her friend pointed.

“There, see? To the right!”

Seyénna smiled to hear such comments. She knew in one way it wasn’t being fair to them, to mislead them of her origins, but she had been so starved of attention, that she reveled in it, as if it were the very sun on her pale flesh.

However, soon the mutters were things she was not sure she liked. “How lovely is the curve of her smile,” she heard a male elf whisper, and his friend nodded, and she looked down and blushed. She wanted them admiring her artwork, not her!

Thankfully, a clanking interrupted their comments, and now they looked at the creature who had entered…for creature is all she could think of him. Surely they could not call him man or elf, for he did not seem to be. The elves around her shot each other and her looks of disapproval about him, and she wondered why. She had not been in the Elvish world for a long time, after all. Most of her time she spent in New Zealand with her father.

He walked more into the room, and flipped the page on her sketch book. He was unlike anything she had ever seen before, and felt a compulsion to draw him. That’s how it always was. New things captivated her, and made her want to capture them, if only on paper. He looked at her, however, and her hand froze before she could draw anything, for his words startled her.

"A human?" He said, and his voice sounded metallic almost, and she shook her head vehemently.

“Certainly not.” She said seriously. “Where I human, I certainly would not be here.” Her brown eyes met what should have been a face. “My name is Etera. May I have the pleasure of your name?” She wanted to look away, but at the same time she found her heart was pounding, secretly terrified he would learn of her origins. She made very sure to keep this fear tucked down inside her however, her eyes showing only curiosity and kindness to him.

[andonxund]

Andon stared down at the woman silently, his head cocking to one side as inner-working slipped into a higher speed. The near silent turn of his gears and pistons were now notably audible as he studied her.

He was not one for biology, so it was possible he mistook the woman for something she was not, but he could swear she looked just like a human. Were he a more careful observer of such things, perhaps he would notice the faint elven lines on her face, but alas, he could not.

"You are not human," he said with a sort of resigned finality in his odd metallic tone.
"You must forgive me, it has been some time. But your face, your skin. It is different. Rare. Quite beautiful," he continued.

It was not a true apology, though that wasn't readily apparent. He simply wished to avoid offense and confrontation. He was surrounded, after all, by people who, at best, disliked him.

The crowd around him, in fact, was beginning to get a bit more ostentatious in their chatter about him, but to that, he was hardly paying attention.

He spoke softly to himself in Dark Elven, his fingers shifting up and down as continued to consider her.
"Xunus nind morfeth nindol? Nau. Ele orn'la Nuada ssrig'luin uns'aa ka nind gumash beldro folt klezn. Natha sel aterruce, xal? Gumash tlu, ol uriu tlus ichl mzil dro-draevalen."

He paused again, realizing himself.
"Ah, forgive me again young miss," he said, bowing appropriately to her, "I am Master Andon Xund, the new artificer for your Prince Nuada." And indeed his fine blue coat shone with a golden symbol of the Royal Seal.

He gestured next to her, his mechanical noise beginning to quiet once again.
"It is Etera, yes? A fine name. Etera. Would you mind if I sat with you? It seems you are one of the few who would deign speak to me."


(Translation - supposing she can speak the language: Did they make this? No. Why would Nuada need me if they could create such things. A new creature, perhaps? Could be, it has been too many lifetimes.)

[seyennaathenial]

The strange mechanical creature stared at her, and she could see the cogs and wheels within the helmet of sorts working harder, considering her, she thought, and she blushed and looked down, as any proper young elf lady would have done.

She was not one for compliments. It's not that she didn't know her own beauty, (she thought herself mildy pretty,) but that she didn't know how to react to them. Her cream colored skin usually blushed a deep red, like the mortal's vegetable - was it called a radish in English? yes, she thought it was - and stuttered after said compliment. Yet now though she blushed a pretty pink color, she chose not to speak right away, but think things over.

"You are not human," he said finally, and relief filled her heart at his statement, but she was very careful to keep the relief hidden, like the rest of her emotions.

Why is it I can hide my feelings, but embaressment - which is also an emotion - I cannot hide? She thought to herself, and managed to nod at his words. "It is an honest mistake. You will find I am not easily offended by such things." She said to him with a polite softness. "Mine is a nature more gentle than others." I get it from my mother, she thought quietly, but did not add it aloud. Not for all the world would she divolge information about that particular parent.

"You must forgive me, it has been some time. But your face, your skin. It is different. Rare. Quite beautiful," he continued.

"Y-your words are very kind, sir. I am unused to such compliments." She murmured in responce, finally raising her eyes to him again.

"Surely you must get them with your artwork?" Another elf added himself into the conversation, and she nodded then.

"Yes but of myself I have not received these things." She told the auburn male elf honestly.

He spoke softly in Dark Elven, muttering,
"Xunus nind morfeth nindol? Nau. Ele orn'la Nuada ssrig'luin uns'aa ka nind gumash beldro folt klezn. Natha sel aterruce, xal? Gumash tlu, ol uriu tlus ichl mzil dro-draevalen."

It was similar to Elven, and so she could figure out the jist of his words, but sensed he was speaking to himself and not her, and so she did not comment on it, however.

"Ah, forgive me again young miss," he said, bowing appropriately to her, "I am Master Andon Xund, the new artificer for your Prince Nuada."

"A pleasure to meet you." She said simply, a nod given to him. She saw the other elves watching them interact, and so - not wanting to offend them or him - she was polite and careful in her interactions.

"It is Etera, yes? A fine name. Etera. Would you mind if I sat with you? It seems you are one of the few who would deign speak to me."

"You may sit, yes. I will not deny an artificer his rights." She told him then, and took up her sketchpad. "May I draw you while we speak?" She asked softly. "You do look fine in that coat." Trying to be pleasant back was not easy for her, since she was shyer in nature, but she tried her very best, and hoped he would not be offended by her request.

[andonxund]

Andon Xund sat swiftly and carefully with an odd sort of grace to his mechanical nature. He was tapping his clothed knee, his gears and pistons again in louder quick motion. He was staring out into the crowd, though without eyes it was difficult to ascertain this.

He spoke suddenly, not at anyone really, but aloud all the same.
"There was no recognition in your tone or appearance about my name. I suppose you could be excellent at hiding such things, but then one would wonder why you are being polite to me in the first place.

So perhaps you are young! Which is even rarer than your skin. But then I wonder why they wouldn't teach you about me.

Oh, but perhaps I am not important in your history. Those around old enough to remember this shell can hate and fear it, and I wonder if they hear my name and hate and fear me more?

But that raises yet further questions! I am only assuming of course that you are taught about us, we, at least we were, taught about you.

Hate and fear and crush the elves and the humans and their allies. We born sword in hand, clawing at the dark walls of our homes the fire in our hearts to crush you. And lifetimes ago I would probably still have all of that still in me.

Instead I work with you?

For you?

It is deeply confusing. I wonder if there are any of my people yet left, what would they think of Andon Xund now? Well perhaps we can gather them to Nuada, I hadn't thought of that. It's a very good idea, or perhaps a very bad one I am not sure. It has been a long time since I have been a Dark Elf and not a cog."

Andon Xund seemed to take a breath, reaching up and rubbing his smooth crystal skull.

"Well I suppose this train of thought is pointless scrutinization isn't it?" He said suddenly, turning toward Seyenna.

"I am sorry, you must forgive these...moments. I am quite used to having no one to talk to you see. But things have changed so." He continued, gesturing with his hands to her.

"Oh, and my yes, you may draw me. I suppose that was your question wasn't it? Yes. Draw away if you so desire. Question as well, I am nothing if not willing to discuss my work, old as it is."

[seyennaathenial]

For being so completely mechanical, he had an odd sort of elegance about him that she took in carefully, out of the corner of her eyes. Already her fingers itched to pick up her materials and begin the process of sketching his smooth capsule which hid the cogs beneath, and to capture it’s gleam against the dusky Elven air. To do so would be extremely rude, however, so she resisted the urge and set down her art things, hands folded politely on her lap.

"There was no recognition in your tone or appearance about my name. I suppose you could be excellent at hiding such things, but then one would wonder why you are being polite to me in the first place. So perhaps you are young! Which is even rarer than your skin. But then I wonder why they wouldn't teach you about me. Oh, but perhaps I am not important in your history. Those around old enough to remember this shell can hate and fear it, and I wonder if they hear my name and hate and fear me more? But that raises yet further questions! I am only assuming of course that you are taught about us, we, at least we were, taught about you.

Hate and fear and crush the elves and the humans and their allies. We born sword in hand, clawing at the dark walls of our homes the fire in our hearts to crush you. And lifetimes ago I would probably still have all of that still in me. Instead I work with you? For you? It is deeply confusing. I wonder if there are any of my people yet left, what would they think of Andon Xund now? Well perhaps we can gather them to Nuada, I hadn't thought of that. It's a very good idea, or perhaps a very bad one I am not sure. It has been a long time since I have been a Dark Elf and not a cog."

When he finally breathed, she decided to speak, having taken in everything he said. “As for recognition, I have no reason to recognize you, and I have no reason to lie to you either. I have truly honestly never heard of you before.” She murmured quietly. “I travel often, being an artist, and I tend to mind my own business. I do not tend to listen to gossip, good sir.” She said quietly. “As for my age, I am not so very young – I am a good deal older than I seem.” A small glimmer of amusement sparkled in those amber-bronze hues. “Though by my skin, as you said, one would not know it.”

When he mentioned he was a Dark Elf, she blushed and a wave of uncomfortability passed over her. She had heard of Dark Elves. They were legendary in all things, especially military tactics, or so she had heard. So his people had longed to crush the humans and the elves? Then why ever did the Prince trust him? She kept her features calm, but inside she was deeply unsettled by this news.

"Well I suppose this train of thought is pointless scrutinization isn't it?" He said suddenly, turning toward her, and she smiled, trying to seem pleasant.

“Pointless? No, I think not. It is by scrutinization of others that we get to know ourselves and others, is it not?” She answered back, wit in her tone.

"I am sorry, you must forgive these...moments. I am quite used to having no one to talk to you see. But things have changed so." He continued, and she nodded.

“Yes, things have changed a great deal since I was a child…and yet in the same way, some things never change. They seem eternal and immovable, like a great and heavy stone.” She answered him, and yet even as she gave her so-called pleasant responses, she was forever careful in what she said. After all, a slip of the tongue and her reputation could be as ruined.

"Oh, and my yes, you may draw me. I suppose that was your question wasn't it? Yes. Draw away if you so desire. Question as well, I am nothing if not willing to discuss my work, old as it is."

Drawing always eased her nerves, and she was glad to occupy her hands, which almost trembled in his presence, for she did not know what to think or say. Soon however she was in the midst of a great sketch, and she found herself able to speak once more. “Might I inquire why you believe you are disliked? Besides your heritage?” She murmured gently, all the while her pencil scratch, scratch, scratching against the parchment of her notepad.

[andonxund]

The girl fell silent for some time, and for a moment Andon wondered if he had slipped up and spoke too much. He was terrible at reading emotional cues. Facial and body movements were lost on him.

She was very formal though, he rather liked that. And she had started sketching him, which he watched with a hint of amusement. His clear crystalline shell, the tiny intricacies of the metal underneath. She was quite good! He should probably tell her that, he decided. But then, before he could, she spoke.

“Might I inquire why you believe you are disliked? Besides your heritage?” She said, her eyes not leaving the pages of her notepad.

Andon forgot himself entirely and simply began to laugh. It was, for once, a true laugh, and tinkled happily with a metallic chiming sound to it. He tapped his fingers together for a moment as the laughter left him, searching for the right words.

"You ARE young!" He decided.

"These people here, they do not change, but you look at me with quiet and calm. But look around at the crowd, they are not peering at the beautiful, young, pink skinned elf with hate and fear.

Their hushed whispers and scowls are meant for a man who built an army made to slay them and all their ilk.

They frown at a creature locked away for an age and then returned to them, alive still, but in the body of a soldier he created himself. It's all very confusing, I suppose, saying it aloud.

The world shifts all around them, but war, war never changes. I was in both you know. We came very close the second time, oh but if only I had managed a few more of those dragons I think we would have had you. I think that would be enough to put a hate in you. One war was enough to put hate in my people, why should it be different from yours?"

He tapped her notepad with his metallic finger.
"Now this thing you draw, it is me and it is not. I was torn from my body, wherever it is now. I have been told it was quite handsome.
But I think this frame suits me more, old as it is. I'll tweak it some, the guts of me, let me run smoother.
Oh but look at me, talking about things you didn't even ask about! I manage to ramble so, you are ever so kind to put up with me.
I'm usually not so...expressive. Having someone who seems genuinely interested is refreshing in some odd way."

He scooted closer to her to get a better look at her sketch, and tapped her notepad again with his long, cold, index finger.
"You're quite good. Very detailed. You would be excellent at drafting. Could use skill like this in my shop, save time to delegate complex schematics to someone more artistically minded."

[seyennaathenial]

A part of Seyénna, even before she was an artist, was that she always had been good at watching people, and though he was a great deal different than any other person she had met, he was still a person...only inside a metallic shell. She watched him carefully, observed carefully, and drew carefully, all the while holding pleasant conversation with him.

The conversation was not always pleasant, however. He spoke of himself being a dark elf, and it frightened her greatly, for she had heard many things about them, and was glad that blood was not in her stream of DNA. She supposed it cruel of her, to think they were all heartless, but she had never been good at trusting people - she had been hurt too many times - and she wasn't about to start now.

She asked why he thought he was disliked, and to her dismay, he
began to laugh. "It is only a question, sir." She said politely, and made sure not to look at him, hurt in her eyes and embaressment on her cheeks. "I was only trying to be helpful." A wind blew the cinnamon curls free from her loose bun, and she sighed. So much for being kind.

"You ARE young!" He told her, and she frowned.

"Two hundred and twelve is not so very young." She said then, but continued to draw, deciding she would let him talk, and she would merely draw. It seemed better that way.

"These people here, they do not change, but you look at me with quiet and calm. But look around at the crowd, they are not peering at the beautiful, young, pink skinned elf with hate and fear.

Their hushed whispers and scowls are meant for a man who built an army made to slay them and all their ilk.

They frown at a creature locked away for an age and then returned to them, alive still, but in the body of a soldier he created himself. It's all very confusing, I suppose, saying it aloud.

The world shifts all around them, but war, war never changes. I was in both you know. We came very close the second time, oh but if only I had managed a few more of those dragons I think we would have had you. I think that would be enough to put a hate in you. One war was enough to put hate in my people, why should it be different from yours?"

She tipped her face up then, a look of determination crossing it, and with all the elegance she could muster she said, "They would not peer at me with hate and fear because I gave them no reason to." She answered, and thought, Though surely if they knew my bloodlines, they would. But she did not add that. Not on her life. She wanted his friendship, but she was not willing to sacrifice herself in order to get it. "Am I right to assume then, that you were once on enemy lines? What made you change?" She eyed his metallic suit carefully and inquired, "Destruction?"

He tapped her notepad with his finger, startling her out of her drawing, for as she had been talking to him, she also had been sketching away.

"Now this thing you draw, it is me and it is not. I was torn from my body, wherever it is now. I have been told it was quite handsome.
But I think this frame suits me more, old as it is. I'll tweak it some, the guts of me, let me run smoother.
Oh but look at me, talking about things you didn't even ask about! I manage to ramble so, you are ever so kind to put up with me.
I'm usually not so...expressive. Having someone who seems genuinely interested is refreshing in some odd way."

His expressions were quite interesting; his way of phrasing things unique. She quirked a brow at him, studying him once more, wishing she could understand how his mind (if it could be called a mind, she did not know,) worked. Ah but then she would have to take him apart, to understand him, and she could not do that. Not only would he not let her, surely, but on top of that she didn't want to. It would end this amazing creature before her, and that would be a shame. As contriversal as some of his thoughts were, they were also intriguing. He spoke for himself and didn't let others sway him, it seemed, and she liked that.

He scooted closer to her and tapped the paper, and instantly she scooted away. She couldn't help it. It wasn't that she feared him, persay, as much as she was shy around all creatures. Her manner was more of an invert. Indeed if he had not drawn her into conversation, perhaps she would have said little to anyone, and waited until her grandparents arrived.

"You're quite good. Very detailed. You would be excellent at drafting. Could use skill like this in my shop, save time to delegate complex schematics to someone more artistically minded."

She took in a steady breath. "Your compliments are well appreciated, and do not take this the wrong way, but I could not do that, seeing as I am unaffiliated with either side of the war. I choose not to be in it." She answered him very softly then, wondering what he would think of that.

[andonxund]

Etera, as the girl had called herself, was quite interesting for someone willing to speak to Andon. She was nervous, but intrigued, he could tell that at least. She was getting more bold with her questions, Andon found the whole thing very endearing. How else is someone to learn?

"Your compliments are well appreciated, and do not take this the wrong way, but I could not do that, seeing as I am unaffiliated with either side of the war. I choose not to be in it." She said carefully.

Was she worried what Andon would think? He supposed she did, the only reason she would turn back to being cautious. Truly he did not mind it, though he had hoped she would understand. He would explain it then, he thought, perhaps she would see the way.

"The war is certain to claim you neutral or no," Andon said calmly, rapping his fingers on his kneed.

"You say you are past two hundred years, yes? Then by what Nuada has told me, you did not see this throne room at it's height.

This Kingdom when it truly was one.

Now a fading little room, brown and dead.

I remember it clearly, when King Balor sentenced me. The words, the faces, the colors. Oh my, the colors! Was quite spectacular.

But now it's this dying little world, and the humans come to wipe it away completely," said continued, gesturing around the room.

He looked back at Etera, gesturing to her now,
"You will sit and accept this willingly? Close your eyes and accept destruction?

You've a stronger will than I.

I will claw and fight and die for this world. Just as I always have," He said, turning away finally. He paused for a moment, staring off into nothing, before he spoke again.

"Nuada has shown me what is left, what was taken. We told them, originally. My people I mean. 'Do not trust the humans. Do not teach them. Leave them away from magic.'

King Balor would not listen.

Now our world dies and our own people turn their heads," he continued nodding toward the elves still in the room.

"Humans, the blight of the magical world. I will see this sickness put from us. It must end."

[seyennaathenial]

She knew she had to be very careful now. Other elves were listening to their conversation, and watching their interaction. If she was seen as a human sympathizer, she would not be able to return, and yet it killed her to speak badly about the humans, because she had met Hazel Green and a few others who had been kind. Beyond this, her own mother had been human! Speaking against her was like cursing her memory…oh it was all so very confusing! She felt as though she were dancing on the tip of a sword ready to fall at any moment!

I suppose politics are always like this. She thought softly, but was careful to keep such thoughts hidden in her mind only, and not on her face. If she appeared confused or fearful, she knew the man before her would not hesitate to turn her into Nuada. On what charges she did not know, but she knew often the elves found reasons to charge you if they were suspicious of you, even if there was no truth to it.

She knew she had been too bold in her questions, and so she dropped her head and muttered, “Forgive me. I…I forget my place. I am only curious about things, and it causes me to forget my station.” She was of a noble class, yes, but even noblewomen were below men in all things.

"The war is certain to claim you neutral or no," Andon said serenely, and she watched him tap his fingers on his knees. Really if this was a less tense time, she would find the rhythm almost musical and entrancing. Bum, bum, bum. Bum, bum, bum…cool metal fingers across his knee. She shook herself out of such silly thoughts however, and tried to think of an answer that would be suitable for him, without betraying herself or her bloodlines.

“And how would the war claim me? If I do not pick a side, I cannot be harmed. I am not against the prince, and I am not for humanity.” She told him softly. “I will defend myself if I have to, but only if I absolutely have to.”

"You say you are past two hundred years, yes? Then by what Nuada has told me, you did not see this throne room at it's height. This Kingdom when it truly was one.

Now a fading little room, brown and dead.

I remember it clearly, when King Balor sentenced me. The words, the faces, the colors. Oh my, the colors! Was quite spectacular.

But now it's this dying little world, and the humans come to wipe it away completely," He said, and she closed her eyes softly as he spoke, and just for a moment, just for one tiny moment, she thought she could picture in her mind the greatness that he spoke of. Colors, scents, happy elven laughter, a powerful kingdom…it was all there in her mind. Not because she could actually see it, mind you, but she could imagine, just like she imagined what life might have been like had her mother been able to be alive today. Her breathing slowed and she allowed the imagined vision to wash over her until she was fully immersed in it, and for one second she was temptedby it.

Her eyes opened then, and she sighed for a moment. “It sounds beautiful.” She murmured gently, not sure what else to say. Because it did sound beautiful, and a tiny part of her wanted that world, to be accepted, to never have to fear recognization of being half human because there would be no more humans to contend with! Ah but even as she thought of this, Hazel’s face swam before her in her mind, and she knew in that moment that for her to have her dream, it would cost her humans lives. Innocent lives like Hazel’s.

"You will sit and accept this willingly? Close your eyes and accept destruction?

You've a stronger will than I.

I will claw and fight and die for this world. Just as I always have," He said.

“This is not the only world we have. Now granted I am not a human sympathizer. I know they have unspeakable things to our people, and destroyed the natural world with their man made poisons…but I am an advocate for not being ignorant. I believe in studying something – even if it is your enemy – until you get a grasp of why they do what they do. Then it would be wise to move forward, if the feelings are still the same as they were before studying the subject.” She told him, all the while careful in her words.

"Nuada has shown me what is left, what was taken. We told them, originally. My people I mean. 'Do not trust the humans. Do not teach them. Leave them away from magic.'

King Balor would not listen.

Now our world dies and our own people turn their heads," he continued, and his words stung her deep down, because he was blaming it all on the humans, and she didn’t think it fair.

“And what would you have our people do?” She said softly, meeting his eyes for the first time in a long time. Intelligence, curiosity, and wit sparkled there. “We are not strong enough to lead a gigantic battle yet, to my understanding.”

"Humans, the blight of the magical world. I will see this sickness put from us. It must end."

She did not reply to this right away. It was painful, hearing such things. Still she pressed forward, and asked, “And may I inquire then, what it is you and our prince plan to do? For the human world is massive. Their people far outrank our own. To kill all of them would be an enormous job, and require a large amount of resources…resources that, looking at this place, I do not think we have.” She was not siding with him, but her curiosity got the better of her, and besides, if she knew how they were going to pull this major stunt off, she could better protect herself and her father, who lived among the humans day to day.

[andonxund]

“Forgive me. I…I forget my place. I am only curious about things, and it causes me to forget my station.” Etera mumbled, bowing her head in prostrate.

At this, Andon cocked his head. The culture of the Dark Elves differed in this regard and it had been lifetimes since he had done any of that in the first place! He did not like this, he decided.

"Your place? Ridiculous. Your place is in conversation. You want to learn, you ask, you want to discuss, you discuss. Holding back helps nothing. Stifles discourse. Prevents growth," he said rapid fire nodding his head up and down at her, "do not hold back. Discourse too important."

“And how would the war claim me? If I do not pick a side, I cannot be harmed. I am not against the prince, and I am not for humanity.” She told him softly. “I will defend myself if I have to, but only if I absolutely have to.”

"Then you will die.

Unfortunate.

Inevitable in this case.

If the magical races do not succeed, then we will fade and die. Magic will leave this world forever, and you with it," He continued with a wave of his hand.

Etera had fallen quiet again, likely mulling over Andon's words. She was odd, curiously in defense of the humans. The other Elves were simply uncaring, neutral, but there was some passion behind her questions, that was certain. Andon, sadly, could not fully understand this. She was certainly odd though, he had decided that.

“And may I inquire then, what it is you and our prince plan to do? For the human world is massive. Their people far outrank our own. To kill all of them would be an enormous job, and require a large amount of resources…resources that, looking at this place, I do not think we have.” She finally said.

Andon laughed quietly. It sounded like tiny chimes in the distance.

"Prince Nuada will share his full plan in time I think. He has not told me everything.

Doesn't fully trust me, I would think.

Smart.

I wouldn't trust me either.

He brought me back for one thing, to make an army. Beyond that, I do not know.
But then, you misunderstand. The death of all humans?

Fallacy, I will not participate in such action.

The culling and decline of humanity? Yes.

World demands diversity. I understand that now. Races ebb and flow like a great river, kill one, kill them all. They look to wipe us out, and without us, the world will fade away. In converse, the humans have developed more in a lifetime what our people have done in a hundred. We both have our place, the humans unbalance it now, their plague must be wiped away.

Prince may disagree, not sure, regardless, do not care. I will halt my creations when they have marched far enough," he said with a tone of finality, like he had decided such action long ago. He stared intently past Etera, at the throne King Balor once occupied, then shook his head and looked back to the girl.

[seyennaathenial]

She had spoken too boldly and she knew it. Only women of royal birth could speak so, and even then brows were raised. Perhaps in his culture it was different – it certainly was in New Zealand, where she lived a great deal of the time, which is why she had momentarily forgotten Elven rules. It was so rare that she came here, that she was a bit out of practice. As soon as she realized this however, she dropped her head and blushed, like any respectable Elven woman would have done. His answer, however, caused her to raise her head in shock.

"Your place? Ridiculous. Your place is in conversation. You want to learn, you ask, you want to discuss, you discuss. Holding back helps nothing. Stifles discourse. Prevents growth," he said, and then he told her, "do not hold back. Discourse too important."

“I am unused to such an opinion.” She murmured. “I do not wish to offend anyone.” And peeked out of the corner of her eye at the other Elves. They were talking amongst themselves, but not about her. They were going about their business, and everything seemed fine…yet in a heartbeat she knew this could change, and they all could turn against him.

She said she had no place in the war, and he replied, "Then you will die. Unfortunate. Inevitable in this case. If the magical races do not succeed, then we will fade and die. Magic will leave this world forever, and you with it," He continued, gesturing with his hand.

She wanted to yell at him. She wanted to tell him there was so much ignorance here, that war did not have to be waged, that peace between humans and elves could exist, that she was living proof of it, in fact, but no…she could not say these things. That would be foolishness, and damage her in so many ways. Her reputation would be lost, as would her relationship with her grandparents and her father’s side of the family…so no, she could not risk all that, just to be right.

She asked him how they planned to do what they would do, and Andon laughed. There was something about that laugh that unsettled her, as though he thought her a small child, or as though he were planning something terribly wicked…both in fact, now that she thought about it.

"Prince Nuada will share his full plan in time I think. He has not told me everything. Doesn't fully trust me, I would think. Smart. I wouldn't trust me either. He brought me back for one thing, to make an army. Beyond that, I do not know. But then, you misunderstand. The death of all humans? Fallacy, I will not participate in such action.” Andon said, and it took her by surprise.

“But did you not say they were a sickness to be wiped out?” She questioned, all the while her sketch growing more and more lifelike on the page. She was impressed with herself, actually. Despite the unsettling conversation, she thought this some of her best work. It was so carefully done, that if one stared hard enough at it, perhaps one would think they could hear the tiny cogs whirring inside his helmet…

“The culling and decline of humanity? Yes. World demands diversity. I understand that now. Races ebb and flow like a great river, kill one, kill them all. They look to wipe us out, and without us, the world will fade away. In converse, the humans have developed more in a lifetime what our people have done in a hundred. We both have our place, the humans unbalance it now, their plague must be wiped away. Prince may disagree, not sure, regardless, do not care. I will halt my creations when they have marched far enough," he said and she peered at him, and made one last movement with her pencil.

“It is finished. My drawing, I mean. Do you wish to see it?” She pointed the paper to him. “I hope that it is to your liking.” She smiled softly, and then added, “As for war, it is true the humans have made a great deal. To wipe it all out would be a shame. The world is a delicate balance, as you said.” She nodded. She was merely repeating some of the things he had said, not agreeing or disagreeing. In this manner, she was still neutral.

“Etera?” She heard the rustling of skirts, and in front of her stood her grandparents, a look of confusion on their faces. “What are you doing talking to him?” Her grandmother continued, a look of disapproval on her face, and disgust towards Andon.

“Oh come now Aurae. I am sure she meant no harm. After all, she does not know who he is, or what he has done. She is too young to remember, like we do.” Anarallath said, eyeing Andon suspiciously, while trying to soothe his wife. He offered his hand to Seyénna then. “Come Etera. No Athenial shall be seen with this man, no matter if the Prince has forgiven him. We shall explain later.”

Seyénna looked at both her grandparents, and then at Andon. She wished to stay. She did not wish to go with them…and yet she understood if she stayed much longer, her own reputation among the elves, along with that of her family’s, might be ruined. Standing, she smiled to him and muttered, “It was very nice to meet you, sir.” She did not wish him luck on his ambitions, for she did not want him to succeed when it came to crushing the humans. Instead she turned and took her grandfather’s hand after she packed up her art things, and followed the both of them. As she walked away, however, she looked at him one last time. What a curious fellow he was! And though it was wrong of her, she hoped then that they met again…

[andonxund]

“It is finished. My drawing, I mean. Do you wish to see it?” She asked him, turning the pad to him. He nodded at her and looked down at the page. “I hope that it is to your liking.”

She was smiling, but he did not see it, fascinated as he was with her piece. He traced the delicate lines with an outstretched finger.

"Very good. Very good. Again offer a job to you. Do not think you will take it. But offer is there all the same. Will stay open, if you want it," he said somewhat slower than normal, still tracing her drawing.

“As for war, it is true the humans have made a great deal. To wipe it all out would be a shame. The world is a delicate balance, as you said,” she added.

He looked up, staring at her, though he had no eyes.
"It would. Humans show cultural diversity. Strength in that. Very diverse creations, much to learn from them. Picked up technology where the goblins left off I hear, still want to look into that."

He would have continued, but Etera's family arrived. Parents? Grandparents? They were the stark white of most elves, and Andon wondered again about the girl's pink skin.

The elven family disparaged him, old enough to remember his face, his army. They remembered the burning fields and the stomp of a metal warrior's boot. He could not blame them for their venom, though found it curious they kept it, all the same. He had left his hate behind, and to be honest, he had been the one to suffer longer.

She stood, and he realized she was leaving. Some part of him was disappointed.
He stood with her.

“It was very nice to meet you, sir," she said with a smile.

"Pleasure was all mine," he replied, bowing slightly to her.
"Do not forget my offer. Will stay open, would rather a draftsman that can talk as well as listen."

With that she left, and Andon sat back down, pondering what to do next. He caught a glimpse of the girl, Etera, looking back at him - and to his surprise found himself waving to her.