The Arrow

The elven Prince Antien was beyond angry.

After walking into the room of his betrothed and found her gone, a note left behind explaining things, anger did not even begin to describe the emotion that raged through his mind, body and soul. She actually left! A chair suddenly shattered into tiny fragments as he flung it out of his way and her tiny bobbles on her nightstand were victim to a sweep of his arm as he passed out of the room.

How could she do this to him? Manya, their spiritual leader and trusted elder, had foreseen their union, told of their intense bonding and everlasting devotion. Antien slammed his hand into the wall as he thought on his and could not fathom Nadiela would actually leave him! He loved her for Manya's sake. He loved her...

Deep within the forest, an elf maiden ducked around a tree and waited while the Scouts passed on their patrol. Naerdiel was running for her life, or so she thought. The idea of marriage was a prison she was neither ready to commit to nor be forced into it at this time. So when he announced that he had made the arrangements and they would be married in less than a month, she ran. Fast.

Her departure from the elven lands was difficult, however it helped to be a warrior trained maiden who knew how to evade the his Scouts and not trip their natural alarm system or alert the animals.

It was only a matter of time before she was free, free to do whatever she liked. Checking around the tree, she found the way clear and so took off again through the forest and as she ran, she used concealments, spells and the natural environment to hide her passage away from Antien. Away from the man she loved but would not allow herself to keep.

****

"Antien, son, peace," the elderly elf woman said calmly from her chair. She nervously tucked a stray stand of hair behind her curved ear as she watched her son vent in anger then smoothed out the wrinkles in her delicate skirt.

It was days later and there was still no sign of his betrothed. He was beginning to doubt the abilities of his Scouts, berated them at every opportunity for their incompetence, then would remembered who they were tracking and smiled -- she was that good. He would know -- he trained her.

His mother was still talking and shot him a questioning look regaining his attention, "Naerdiel will be found, so please find your inner peace and calm down. You are upsetting me and the rest of the People." The look she received in reply only forced another sigh of exasperation from her elegant lips, "This is not healthy, son."

Anger burned through him again and he fought the urge to yell at her, so spoke very quietly but his words were full of passion, "Mother, she left. The moment the announcement was made that we could finally stand before Manya and make our vows, she left." He was finding it exceedingly difficult to hide his anger, "How dare she, she had no right."

"There is nothing you can do about it, Antien. She made her own choice and you cannot force this, it is not our way." His mother cautioned, "If she wants to be found, she will be found. If not, you will have to let her go until she is ready to return."

Antien moved towards the refreshment tray and with excessive force, filled a glass with white nectar that he promptly gulped down. One word,"No," then departed the room leaving his mother, the Queen sitting in stunned silence.

****

Thwap! Damn. Missed again. Naerdiel slumped as she viewed where her arrow landed this time, inches from her intended mark. Well, she had all the time in the world to practice and drew another arrow from the dirt at her feet and notched the string.

Her form was perfect - feet apart and aligned with her target, shoulders straight, fingers light on the string pulled back just touching her cheek, wrist firm and held at an angle - she should not be missing this target. Thwap! Argh!!! Damn it! The arrow was protruding two inches from where she aimed, waggling as if it taunted her. Taking a deep breath she found her inner calm. From the beginning, she began...again and chastised herself as another arrow left the ground at her feet to be notched in the string.

Right as she released the missile, an erotic image of Antien with a bare chest lying on her bed flashed in her mind and she faltered, sending the arrow sailing past the target and into the thick brush beyond. Antien, her love, the man she dreamt of.

She broke his heart leaving, knew her actions would, but there was no way he would make this decision for her. She did not want to be Queen and all that it entailed. She did not want the life he promised her and handed her at every opportunity. She only wanted him and his decision to finally make her a Scout.

Again, she mentally coached herself through the practice. Arrow, notch, draw, release. Again and again, she fired at the tree trunk and only once did she hit where she aimed. What was wrong with her? Among her People she was renowned for her archery skills, rivaled only by Antien. There was no reason she should be performing so poorly, unless...unless she was tired. Yes, that must be it. It had been two months since she made her escape, and so far she had not found the relaxation she thought would come with her imposed exile. Instead, all she felt was anger for being forced into this predicament and occasionally, she felt grief for every so often, like now, she missed him with a pain that burned her soul.

Accepting today was not her day to master the bow, she collected her missiles and weapon, preparing to head back to the small cottage she adopted on the human border. At her back was the Woudiel Forest, which was inhabited by numerous sentient creatures that kept safe from anything harmful. Before her stretched a valley that the humans used for farming but so far below her that she did not fear their intrusion. This was now her home.

"You pulled to the right," and she spun around at the familiar male voice to find Antien leaning seductively against the tree trunk. Even if his posture was enticing, she could see the restrained anger coiled under the surface. Hungrily, she stared at his tall, lean body that was compact and stacked with muscles that she could see through his tight travel clothes. Another flash of his naked body entered her mind and she shook it off. He had his long white hair braided at the side and tied behind his curved ears so it opened up his sharp face, currently watching her with amusement.

He was furious the moment he finally found her and had one foot poised to enter the clearing when he stopped, instead watching. Slowly, his anger faded to be replaced by curiosity as he watched her botch up something as simple as archery practice. She must be distracted and hoped it was him that was causing her distress, for he felt a wave of jealousy at the look of longing that just crossed her face. "You look unsettled, so your arm is pulling to the right." To highlight his point, his long, graceful fingers caressed the holes that dotted the trunk along the right.

"W-what are you doing here?" Shock had her stuttering as she stared at the last person she wanted to find her and returned Prince Antien's confident stare with one of horror.

"What, did you think you could escape me that easily?" Antien was still angry and that had his muscles tense and his posture stiff, but seeing her before him in the flesh suddenly melted the burning anger in his heart -- she was shockingly beautiful and frankly... he missed her.

She was annoyed by his response. "How did you find me?" she snapped then she turned towards her cabin and proceeded to kick the door in without much force. "I covered my tracks." Her bow and arrows were unceremoniously dumped onto the floor near the fire.

Antien followed her in without invitation, "Yes, but you forgot who was chasing you, Naerdiel. It was only a matter of time before I located you." She had still not moved from her stiff stance in the corner. "What, no hug?"

"No."

So he would not lose his temper, he turned his back to her and immediately began to build a fire for the night. "I can do that, thank you." she snapped.

"Of course you can, but I am here so I will do it." As the logs were stacked with enough of a tent to allow a flow of air, he mumbled a word and the entire tower erupted in to flames. "I like doing these things for you, Naerdiel." His head turned and she met his liquid gold eyes as they captured her attention. "When are you going to accept that?"

"And when are you going to accept I don't want to state our vows before Manya?" her retort was laced with bitter anger. A part of her immediately regretted the words, for she saw the hurt that flashed in his eyes before he dipped his head in resignation.

"Enough." Neatly he rose and moved towards her, his soft leather boots not even making a sound on the planked flooring. "I did not search and find you to argue. I miss you, Naerdiel." She made no move from where she stood with her tall and lithe elven prince standing before, challenging her to look away first.

"Why exactly are you here, Antien?" she challenged.

He exhaled before he answered, "I've already told you, I miss you." he took a step closer and she inhaled his earthy sent, heavy with the smell of his sweat from his run here. It awoke a fire in her body that had been smoldering there all day. Now the object of her fantasy was standing before her, "Antien," her traitorous voice cracked, "I left for a reason."

Another step closer, he could touch her if he wanted, "And that would be?" he encouraged her with a tilt of his head, "Lack of love? Sickness? The need to roam the wilds unprotected?" a smirk, "Oh wait, it was to practice your archery."

"It was not a lack of love," she whispered, then turned away to sit on the bed, too ashamed to meet his eyes.

"Then why leave, Naerdiel?" Every ounce of his being screamed to collect her into his arms when he saw her blue eyes rimmed with tears when she finally raised her head. He just broke a promise he had made many years ago to her that he would never make her cry. But he waited for her to show a sign that she would not fight him off. "It was the wrong decision and you know it."

"I will not be forced, Prince." Suddenly angry, the tears that were threatening before suddenly dried up. How dare he challenge her this way. "You were warned of this outcome the night you made the announcement. Are you really surprised?"

Her waspy anger, so quick to make an appearance, was one of the many reasons he loved this woman."Yes you did warn me, but I didn't think you'd actually leave." His mind flashed back to the night he discovered her missing two months before and it drove him out of control, consumed in the anger that burned through him since that night... Before he knew what he was doing she was being grasped firmly at the shoulders and lifted off the bed to stand before him. "You left me." he growled inches from her face.

"Yes. I left you." Naerdiel held her chin high and met his challenging stare. He was so close that the heat from his hands on her shoulder and his breath sent shivers down her spine as it caressed her cheek. The tears thought forgotten spilled over their confinement and streamed down her smooth cheek to leave streaks in her sweaty face.

Again the anger faded as quickly as it arose when he saw that steak down her cheek, then lost his ability to breathe for a moment as he was struck by her beauty. He stared at her face, with its smooth complexion, angular features giving a feline appearance and her midnight blue eyes and sighed -- he loved her beyond all else and just wanted her back.

She gave him no fight when his lips descended upon her mouth, or when his tongue darted into her parted lips to tease hers into action. He backed her up against the wall of the cabin and pressed his weight against her body, pinning her to the wall with little effort. Their lips had not broken contact and he proceeded to delve into her mouth with his tongue while he ground his erection into her body. Rising his hand he pushed under the shirt and almost cried as he felt her skin, he missed her skin. Then her breast was in his hand, filling his palm with her flesh that was custom molded for his and only his hand. It was as he recalled, full and firm with large nipples that craved attention.

Naerdiel's body responded by pooling moisture between her legs and her mind was lost to the sensations that spread through her body as his hands, mouth and lower body roamed and caressed. She unconsciously arched her back into her hand cupping her breast and moaned loudly when the sensitive skin was tweaked gently. For a moment, she forgot the reason she had left in the first place and just enjoyed him.

Antien was losing his control, and now that he had her in his arms, tasted her mouth, he had a thought to allow that to happen. What would result would be him moving her to the bed. Instead, he broke away and looked deeply into her eyes then asked again, "Why did you leave me, my love."

"I don't want to be Queen. I was meant to be nothing more than a Scout, keeping your border safe. I want a simple life, Antien yet you keep throwing the benefits of being your lover at me. I don't want them, can't you see? Why did you have to push it?" For the past fifty years, Naerdiel was rising through the ranks of his army, starting as a mere novice and developing her skills with a blade and bow, excelling and exceeding even his more seasoned veterans. That is what caught his eye so many years ago. Her hunger for the blade and her ferocious attitude drew his eyes and stole his heart. She was ready to be promoted into his elite Scout force, but he was holding back and she suspected it was because of this marriage.

"Naerdiel, you didn't need to leave to have all that," he registered shock when she pulled away to shove at him, causing him to start in anger, "What is this?" she was not the only one with a quick temper, "You dare shove me?"

"Yes. Please leave, Antien. I'm not sure how you found me, but I wished not to be found." Naerdiel's lean body walked to the door and held it open, indicating with her angelic face towards the porch.

He was still in shock. He was being thrown out? "Naerdiel," but her sigh caused him to pause, "Fine. I will return tomorrow," touching her arm as he passed, knowing the affect it had on her.

"Don't. I won't go back." Once his back was over the threshold, she slammed the door closed and sank against it sobbing as her grief overwhelmed her. Now was the time to be strong, so she quickly recovered and set about making her evening meal with occasional thoughts to the handsome elven prince camping somewhere out in the night -- without her -- and her body ached, for he was so close, so very near.

****

The first thing she registered when she awoke was that it was much later than she had wished to be up. The sun bathed the tiny cottage in light so when she rolled over to face her day, she screamed when she found Antien sitting at her table -- watching her. "What are you doing here, Prince? Get out. I did not invite you in." Naerdiel bounded from the bed and as she past close enough to him, he again caressed her arm, stopping her instantly. "Why are you doing this?" she hissed.

"Because I love you. More importantly, why are you doing this?" his sharp reply caused her face to frown, "You should not have left me. Manya foretold our union so why fight it?" he continued to stare at her as she glared at him, "Must I remind you that our souls are already bound and you couldn't resist me even if you tried?"

"Must we have this argument again?" he still held her arm at the elbow, "Please release me." Memories of their last night appeared in her mind and she shook her head to clear them but they lingered on the scene where he proposed and she argued over this exact topic that ultimately had her fleeing.

With a flourish, he removed his long fingered hand, "What is so fascinating about this cottage, anyway?" the look of distain on his face said it all, "It's so, human." He said the last word with profound disgust.

Naerdiel had moved to the hearth and quietly lit a fire to heat her morning tea, "That would make sense, it is on human lands."

"How did you even find it? It's not safe."

"It's an old hunting lodge that has been abandoned for years. I stay here when on long patrols, and have been watching this place for years so knew no others come by." She set out two mugs, "And, I am quite capable of taking care of myself even if they did."

He studied her for a moment and chose his words carefully, "I meant no insult, Naerdiel, it's just that I worry. You should not be alone for this length of time. It's dangerous." His eyes stared into the distance towards the fields below, "Humans are not to be trusted, and yet you choose to settle on their land, away from my protection." He turned to her again, "Why?"

"To escape the bindings you placed on me, Antien, why else?" she indicated the mugs, "Tea?" she asked in a sarcastically sweet voice that had him smirking.

He secretly wished he was immune to her charm, but he was not and nodded in reply. He would just have to wait her out, pester her until she allowed him in her bed. Then and only then, he would love her until she agreed to return home with him. He was nothing, if not patient, so he sat back and watched her as she set about her day.

Naerdiel did her best to ignore him as she completed her chores and before she realized it, the sun was sinking behind the trees and casting dark shadows across her little haven. "What's for dinner?" he called from his mundane task at the well where he filled a bucket of water to bring to her in the the house. When she would not talk to him unless he actually did something, he found different tasks here and there to perform just to keep the conversation going. "You are not staying."

"No? Have I not worked hard, love?" Her back was to him at the stove when he entered and after he set the bucket down easily snaked his arms around her narrow waist to pull her close, pressing her against his erection that had been growing steadily harder as he watched her doing her mundane chores. "Please?"

She stiffened but not out of revulsion. The feel of his slender body so close sent hers into a wild state of desire, "Yes, you have worked hard. But you still can't stay." Yet her body pressed backwards into his tight frame and felt every muscle, every bone and the heartbeat that was pounding against her back.

"Don't you miss me?" he whispered into her ear when she had not shoved him away. "Hm?" he hummed while he nuzzled the soft skin behind her ear.

Naerdiel was battling her emotions and losing to desire, "Yes," she moaned. Quickly realizing what that one word would do, she shoved away and stood well away from him. "Damn you. Get out."

Prince Antien, the ever noble elven prince, laughed. "Fine, have a good evening, my lovely warrior. Until tomorrow." Success. He moved her an inch and saw her crack a smidgen, knowing it was only a matter of time.

****

"Wade!" he hissed, "stay down," Two men crouched in the bushes just beyond the clearing and witnessed the tall elf depart the hunting lodge to disappear into the night. Behind, he left an elven woman in the cabin, alone. "What do you make of this?"

"Trouble. Let's go tell the Mayor Nolan. Even I know I am no match for an elf, even if she is a woman." He whispered as he slithered backwards away from the clearing.

****

That first night was horrible for Naerdiel. She could not get Antien out of her mind and tossed and turned for hours before she finally fell into an exhausted sleep. He had drifted into her dreams next and while her body rested, her mind did not, keeping her in a state of confused arousal, so it was that she was quite frustrated when she opened her eyes to the light of a new day. Damn him.