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The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 01

By: Sirens_Cry



(Dedicated to my beloved Brett, wherever he may be, without whom this story would never have been written.)



Chapter 1

The sky wept, washing the red rivers of blood out to the sea. It was once a beautiful land filled with green forests and streams of clear water. The sun once shone in a sky as blue as a robins egg. The rich brown earth yielded flowers of all shapes and colors, exotic herbs, and enough food that no child ever went hungry. But no longer. 

The sky was clouded and rain drizzled over a bloody field that was once the beautiful gardens of the Elven Citadel. Women in white walked in the fields, their dresses darkening from the mud as they retrieved the fallen. The suffocating silence of the dead and the screams of the dying made the air thick, too heavy to breathe. The Roman army had retreated after their victorious assault on the heart of the once fair city of Ennonlai. The remains of the Elven army had been pushed back within the strong walls of the three tiered city. 

Two figures could be seen from the battlements, high on the tallest balcony looking down at the imposing army on their doorstep. An old man with a silver braided crown high on his brow, gleaming white hair tied back in a braid laying over elaborate armor stained in blood. Beside him was a younger figure in matching armor, a helmet under her arm. Her auburn hair was woven into a braid with silver cloth, wrapped around her head creating the impression of a crown. 

Her eyes were a cold blue as she stared at the ruin. "They will not be satisfied until the gates are broken" she said in a somberly. 

The old man only nodded, his gaze unseeing as he looked out over the battlements. "I never thought it would end like this" the old man said in an emotionless voice. 

"No one did, my King." He looked at her, his brow furrowing with the formality of her words. His mouth opened to speak just as a loud crash shook the city like an earthquake. They both knew the sound without looking towards the chaos. A battering ram. She stared at the old man for a heartbeat before saying forgivingly "Today I will die as the son you always wanted me to be, Father." She turned, drawing the sword at her side determined to make her enemies victory a painfull one for their legions. 

"Elwyn! Wait..." he called, but either she didn't hear him or did not respond. The old king turned back to the battlements, a sadness overcoming him with his daughters harsh words. He saw the human armies advancing, surrounding the fortress trying to break the once impenetrable fortress. Only one stayed behind on the field to watch the ruin, a soldier in red armor looming like the angel of death himself over the battlements. The King unsheathed his sword and turned to follow the remaining soldiers to defend the gates of his once beautiful city.

Elwyn ran down the halls where she was met by one of the generals of their army.

"My lady..." he said breathlessly. "They are trying to break down the gates and have blocked off the escape of the remaining women and children through the servants quarters." 

She swore under her breath, running out of time and options all too quickly. "Gather as many men as you can and brace the gates. If they break through fall back towards the great hall. I will get the women and children to the entrance of the underground passage there." She put her helmet on so that only her blue eyes shone from the midst of silver metal. She ran down the halls, parting ways with the general, going through the quickest routs to get to her people still trapped within the walls that once had been their sole protection. 

They were huddled together near the servants quarters, mothers clutching their crying children to their breasts. "Everyone go to the great hall!" she called "Go as fast as you can." Everyone began moving, without question, so grateful they were to see her. Elwyn scooped up two children, putting one on her back and the other on her left hip, still holding her sword in her right hand. She began to move, making sure that none were left behind as she brought up the rear. In the distance the sound of the battering ram hitting the reinforced gates echoed every few minutes. 

It took them precious time to get everyone into the great hall. She put the children down and moved to the back of the large room, pushing the ancient throne as hard as she could, making it fall to the floor with a loud crash, revealing a secret passage leading downwards, under the palace. 

Elwyn pulled one of the young mothers aside "Follow the tunnel and take every third left when it forks. It will take you to the woods where you can hide." 

"But what about..." 

"You have to lead them now. I can not go with you." Elwyn gave her a push towards the tunnel. The young mother began running down the hall, guiding the others as she walked in the dark passages. Elwyn helped the others down into the tunnels, focusing on getting each child in an adults arms, unless they were big enough to run ahead. Suddenly there was a crash as several Elven soldiers opened the doors of the great hall and slammed them shut, beginning to barricade the only entrance to the room. Elwyn called to the remaining women not yet in the protected halls of the tunnel. 

"Get all the children in front of you. I'm going to block the passage behind you. No matter what happens don't turn back." The women began helping to get the children as far into the tunnels as possible. All heard a loud crashe as the Romans took the battering ram to the large doors of the great hall. 

There wasn't enough time. The doors came crashing down and turned her back to the last of her people who were escaping as the Roman army washed into the great hall. There were a dozen of her best soldiers left to draw their swords, and the marble floors became slippery with the blood of their enemies.

The last of the women were running down the tunnel as the wave of soldiers broke against her. Elwyn sliced her blade, killing one, two, four soldiers before she turned and dived to the floor, her hand reached towards the opening of the tunnel. Her helmet fell off and skidded across the floor as she searched for lever on the side of the stairs embedded in the wall.

As her fingers closed around the lever a blinding pain lit through her right shoulder. The Roman soldier standing over her leaned on his sword till it cracked the marble floor, taking advantage of the weak point of her armor, his sword thrust deep where her chest plate met her arm. She pulled the lever with and a crash that made the room quake with the force, knocking the soldier away from her. She saw stars behind her eyes with the blinding pain of the cold steel pierced through her body. Elwyn's eyes looked to the tunnel, now blocked by a large controlled cave in. By the time the Roman soldiers dug through her people would be deep into the safety of the forest. It was all that mattered.

A scream echoed through the chambers and it took her a moment to realize it was from her own lips. The soldier had righted himself and removed his blade from her flesh with a tug that pulled her up off the ground. Her blood pooled over the marble dais where her fore fathers once sat in grandeur. She felt a strong kick turning her over onto her back and her eyes struggled to focus. She could not see her comrades lying dead on the floor not far from where she lay. All she could see was the blurred shapes of Roman uniforms. Only a handful had stayed once the cave in blocked the path of the tunnel, and they stood in a circle around her.

"What have we here lads?" said one man.

"She is the one. You know what we have to do" replied another. 

"No I think not. It seems that we have stumbled upon a prize worth keeping" said another cruel voice. She could not keep her eyes open as she heard their laughter ring in her ears. It was the last thing she heard before her head lolled to the side and darkness swam around her. There was no more pain, no sound, only silence. She did not feel the men strip her of her armor, throw her over a shoulder and walk out of the citadel through the servants quarters.

Chapter 2

Fourteen years later

Out of the corner of her eye she could see the patrons at the auction walking by. Her eyes were downcast so she didn't anger the slavers any more then she already had. Her back was black and blue, spotted in blood from the beatings. Her auburn hair lay in disarrayed locks, tucked behind her pointed ears but covered her body more than the sarong of pale blue silk. All in all she might as well have been nude with all it did to cover her flesh from the hungry eyes of those around her. It was easy to tell she was damaged merchandise from the black and red marks marring her pale flesh and more importantly she had not been broken. It took all their manpower to merely to keep her from escaping.

She barely heard the sounds of the auctions anymore. She learned to drown them out as she heard the slavers calling for money, the noise of the buyers as they shopped and talked amongst themselves. She retreated into her own thoughts, letting the pain fall away and she was once again in the wooded forest of her home. No chains. No whips. No bars. 

She was suddenly jerked back to reality as the door to her cage was unlocked and she was pulled roughly to her feet. Standing she was nearly as tall as she slaver at 5'5. For a moment her knees wobbled as blood rushed back to her appendages. The adrenaline kept her upright with the help of the slavers iron grip on her arm. She kept her eyes lowered until she felt the hand beneath her chin tilting her face up. She glanced up to the mans eyes briefly before closing them and let her features fall from his sight as she lowered her head. She knew if she dared to look upon him as an equal she would be punished, and she already had enough lashes for one day. 

From her brief glimpse of the man in front of her she recognized the roman style uniform with its armor plated chest and toga beneath. The soldiers were everywhere, guarding the auctions for the price of taking the liberty with the remaining slaves that hadn't been sold. The man made a motion with his hand for her to turn and she closed her eyes before she slowly turned in a complete circle until she was facing him again. 

"You have used the whip on this one?" An angered voice echoed and she could hear the slap that she knew must have been directed at the slaver. 

The slaver muttered in an aggravated but meek voice "I..Im sorry Milord....but you see she had tried to escape..."

The slavers words didn't resonate in her mind as they continue talking. Instead an overwhelming dread knowing that if the gentleman did not choose to buy her then she would have far worse problems with the slavers anger then before considering she could still hear the sound of the slap ringing in her ears.

"Put her in with my house hold stock, and get out of my sight!" the man bellowed at the slaver. Part of her sighed with relief as she heard the mans words and the slaver took her away, giving her a dark glare that made her shiver. She didn't know how this new man would treat her, but judging from his anger at the violence inflicted on her some part of her knew the he would treat her better then the slavers.

She was lead to a covered wagon with several other female slaves that were obviously to be used for household work due to their delicate builds. She lay down on her stomach as to not aggravate the wounds on her back as she stretched, circulation returning to her limbs. The cage where she had been kept often made her legs go numb but the slaver would hear none of her complaints. The cart began to move slowly and her eyes closed with the subtle motions of the wagon. She tried to make her body relax as the pain in her limbs escalated. She kept her eyes open going thru old poems she learned as a child in her head trying to stay awake. 

The wagon finally stopped and she looked up. Her eyes focused enough to see a roman style villa looming over her. She saw the man who purchased her get off his horse and begin to walk towards the cart. Pain rushed through her body making every atom of her flesh throb. Even as he moved towards her, her eyes closed. She barely registered the strong arms that lifted her up, careful of her wounds, and brought her inside before darkness overcame her. The next few days were a blur of pain and she woke several times only to fall back into a deep sleep. She was half aware of a soft voice crooning to her and tending her wounds. 

The next morning he came to her room, silently he slipped in and watched her sleep before he had to tend to his duties. His eyes moved over her as she lay on her stomach. She was naked under the sheet that came to her waist he suspected, but nudity around the villa was normal. His eyes moved over the marks on her back that were so horrible he suspected they would never fully heal. A frown curved his lips as he kneeled by her side, examining a mark that he knew couldn't have been made by a whip. It was old, a scar that he could tell went deep on her right shoulder. He didn't want to risk moving her to see if there was a matching scar on the front of her body. The torture she had endured would make even the strongest men wince. He made no move to touch her save for lightly running his fingers through her hair before slipping back out of the room. 

He visited her each day, always silent, merely watching her sleep before going on about his day and again before he retired for the evening. Something about her drew him to her. But whether it was her beauty or her strength or a combination he did not know. 

It was her fifth day at the villa before she woke around noon. She began to push herself up but realized her clothes were gone. She slowly sat up, pulling the covers over her body. Just as she was about to stand up the door opened. 

A homely looking plump woman with a bright smile walked in wearing long white and red robes. "You are finally awake my dear. I was beginning to get worried. My name is Bronwyn." The girl gave the older woman a soft, weary smile. "Here, lets get you into the bath. I'm sure you'll feel much better" Bronwyn said and without giving the girl time to protest, helped her up and led her slowly to the bath. 

The girl whispered a soft "thank you" as the woman half carried her to the bath that was already drawn as if Bronwyn had known she would awake when she did. 

As Bronwyn helped the girl into the bath she asked "What is your name dear?" The girl hesitated and said in a soft voice "Diana."

Bronwyn smiled a knowing smile and began to gently bathe the girl and tend her wounds. "Indeed? Such a beautiful name." Diana glanced back at the woman for a moment and there was a knowing twinkle in the old emerald eyes. Something in them couldn't help but make her smile. Bronwyn coaxed her onto her stomach in the bath and began to clean her wounds more carefully now that she could soak them in the healing water. 

Diana winced and her shoulder muscles clenched but she never made a sound. Bronwyn began to hum a soft tune that seemed to soothe the pain from her back. She then moved on to massage Diana's feet trying to improve the circulation in her legs that the old woman could tell had been so bad of late. Bronwyn massaged all the way up to where the scars began on the back of her thighs. By the time Bronwyn was finished Diana's skin had a healthy glow and her wounds were on their way to recovery. 

Bronwyn silently helped Diana back into her room and into bed. "As much as I hate to do this it is the customs of this land." The woman took out a purple velvet collar with the letter "M" embroidered in gold on it and fastened it around the girls neck. Diana touched it and frowned a little. All she had to do was touch it to know that there was magic entwined with the fabric so that only he whom it belonged to could remove it. The old woman smiled sadly, seeing her discomfort with it and said "You stay right there and I will bring you something to eat." The girl nodded and lay down, letting her eyes close. 

After Bronwyn left the room Diana was immediately alert and looking around the room. She tried to get the collar off in vain for a moment before giving up. She slipped into the blue toga that had been left for her and as much as her body protested, she carefully manipulated her form through the small window. She slipped through the villa like a shadow despite her injured state. Along the way she silently grabbed a dagger from the belt of a passing guard without him noticing. 

She worked her way towards the main gate of the villa. Her eyes darted over the busy entrance. If she had been a normal human she would never have made it. She moved quickly enough that those who did glimpse her made no note of it. She was almost to the tree line and to safety when several of the city guards rushed up behind her. She turned to them with fury in her eyes. Several of the guards even took a step back, intimidated by the wild eyed look of the creature in front of them.

"Well pretty, what are you doing here?" as the guards looked her over and snickered among themselves.

"What's it to you?" she replied harshly, ignoring the fact that her back had begun bleeding because of her labored movements and she fought against the light headed feeling that followed. The Guards sensing her weakness slowly inched closer, surrounding her more completely, blocking off her escape. 

"Well since you are an escaped slave we have the right to hang you for the amusement of the city" one man said with a sadistic smirk. Just then all of them reached for her, their iron grip closing on her arms. She struggled hard but in her injured state she was no match for the four strong men. Just as they began to drag her towards the center of town she heard a familiar voice.

"What are you doing with her?" Diana looked up and saw the very man who's home she had escaped this morning. The guards all snapped to attention as he approached.

"She is an escaped slave, General. The law is clear of the consequences." 

The General narrowed his eyes and moved to grab hold of Diana's arm and the other guards parted for him. "That would be if I hadn't freed her this morning." All stared at him, shocked, including Diana. The guards glanced to each other but none it seemed had the courage to deny the Generals claim. 

The head guard looked at her and said "Get some proper clothing then. Blue togas are only for slaves." The guards began to disperse and the general released Diana's arm. He then moved closer as she met his gaze.

They were so close no other could hear the conversation, his breath caressing her face with his harsh words. "I am quite impressed that you are still standing. But you wont be for long if you continue this charade." 

"Did you mean what you said?" was her only reply, her gaze just as steely. His lips quirked half a smile and he leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

"You would think you might be more grateful for a man who has saved your life twice in one week." She had no reply to that and she had to force her eyes from his. "Do as you will Diana, but you know you will bleed to death before you get to the next town..." he turned and muttered under his breath "if you are not enslaved again before then."

She watched in dumbstruck awe as he just left her standing there. Her brow furrowed as an inner battle waged in her mind. She cursed, knowing he had trapped her effectively between her physical ailments and his words. Reluctantly she moved silently back to the villa. No one made a move towards her as she walked through the streets. By the time she dragged herself back into her room she was ready to collapse. There was a tray of food waiting on the table by the bed but she paid it no mind. She was asleep the moment she fell into bed. While she slept Bronwyn came in and tended to her wounds once more, cleaning the dried blood from her flesh. 


The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 01



Diana woke up late in the evening as the sun was setting but did not move. She felt better, but still weak. She knew it would be some time before she regained her strength. She curled her fingers into a fist and hit the pillow once in frustration. She hated that she needed someone to take care of her. She shifted on the bed and tried to go back to sleep. Before she could drift off she heard the door of her room open and footsteps made their way into her room. She knew it was him from the first footfall, the heaviness from his boots, the length of his stride, and the subtle scent of blood and sweat that always clung to a warriors frame. She pretended to be asleep, not moving or giving any sign she was conscious. The figure slowly approached and with one finger gently stroked her hair. Then he left as silently as he came. 

Chapter 3

She wasn't entirely sure why she stayed. She learned in the following weeks that her hosts name was Marcus, the general of the human kings armies. As her strength grew she began to help Bronwyn tend the gardens. It had been long since she had such freedoms and she took full advantage of them. She could roam around as she pleased, coming and going without question. She often thought about leaving, but always something held her back. Perhaps it was intrigue for the dark man that every morning entered her room when he thought she was sleeping.

He watched as she blossomed before his eyes. Slowly she began to smile, and laugh. But the biggest change was in her eyes. When he had first seen her eyes had been gray, lifeless. Slowly they transformed from a dull gray to bright sapphire more brilliant than any gem found in the mines. He believed it was her gifted hands that made his garden the loveliest sight in the city. But he was a bit biased considering she spent most of her time in the garden that made it all the even more beautiful to him. 

It was a long time before he exchanged words with her again. She was sitting on the ground in the garden with her hands full of rich earth when a shadow blocked the sun from her view. She looked up at him and blinked several times moving her hand to shield her eyes. She stood up and wiped her hands as she looked at him.

"Do you need something?" There were smudges of dirt on her face and her blue toga which only added to her appeal. He just gazed at her, as if he wanted to memorize each feature, each curve of her body. When he didn't answer she sat back down and continued her gardening. Marcus sat on the bench by her side and watched her work. It seemed like time drew out as he sat there but she seemed not to feel the tension that radiated through his body. He didn't know what to say to this lovely creature that he had come to crashing into his once normal life, sending his senses askew. Yet she seemed to not even know of his existence. 

Finally he spoke "How did you come into the hands of those bastard slavers?" She seemed to stop dead in her motions but she did not look at him. 

She whispered "War is an ugly thing M'lord." 

He was quite aware that she had avoided answering the question fully and his arms crossed as he waited for her to continue. She could feel the unspoken words hovering between them but she ignored it. She had no intentions of telling her story, knowing it would put all in more danger than was needed. When he cleared his throat waiting for a response, she relented knowing that he would not leave her alone without some kind of answer. But she had no intensions of telling him the whole or even half of the truth. "Like many of my people I was captured during the fighting and later sold to further line the victors purse."

"And?" He said, sensing that there was more to be told. 

She merely shook her head "That is all." 

Marcus let out a frustrated sigh and stood up and as he moved her gaze followed him. "I have not asked much of you Diana. But it would please me if you could speak freely to me and give me that gentle luxury of your company now and again."

She watched as he walked away, disappearing back into the villa. She felt as cold and callous as he thought her to be. He had been nothing but kind to her and she had barely given him a thank you for all he had done. There was not a moment that she lived under his roof that she didn't wonder why he had saved her from the slavers. She wanted to know but did not dare ask. Didn't dare question that emotion in his eyes was that she couldn't name. She got up and continued working, trying to forget his words but his sad face would not leave her minds eye. She felt the possibility of a closeness with this man that threatened to bloom with careful tending. Perhaps that was why she was so cold to him. She had to keep her distance, to protect them all. She thought there was something familiar about him but she could not place it, as if she had seen him somewhere before. She had been so long in exile that many things from her previous life had faded to the background, lost it seemed with her freedom. To her people fourteen years was a mere blink of an eye in their long lifetimes but her captivity made it seem like a thousand lifetimes since she had seen her home.

The days got cooler as time in the villa passed much as it always had. But his colleagues noticed Marcus absent from the war room more as time dragged on to the point where days he didn't appear at all. Finally Caspar, Marcus' second in command decided to investigate where the general was slipping off to. Caspar was surprised to see Marcus walking in the garden talking to one of the slaves. The tall red haired man kept himself hidden but was far enough away to let them keep their privacy. Caspar had never seen the general talk with one of his slaves much less take so much time devoted to one. Perhaps there was something different about this woman. It was the way Marcus looked at her that gave him away. After having satisfied his curiosity he returned to the war room to continue with his days work. 

Caspar was not the only one to observe the generals strange change in behavior. Bronwyn kept a close eye on the two at all times. Marcus had entrusted her with running the villa and making sure all the household duties were in strict order, so she had the run of the house. She often heard them talking or saw them walking down the halls. Often the discussions were about unimportant things as the two slowly began to trust each other. Marcus would often ask Elwyn about her past but she would quickly redirect the question to him or some other unrelated subject. But she did it with the eloquence of a poet so that Marcus only noticed half the time. Even so, Bronwyn could not help but smile as she noticed that her lords step was lighter, as if the weight of the world he carried on his shoulders was somehow lifted when this woman was with him.

Winter set in around the villa and the afternoon walks that had become a daily ritual stopped. With the flower seeds slumbering deep within the snow so too did Diana become quiet and reserved. Marcus was called away to the city when the king called all his generals together for a council of war. He had told her he was reluctant to go to court but he could not deny the Kings orders. She often sat by the window with her needle point, gazing out at the blanket of white that covered the land. Her body was completely healed and the horrific scars along her back were all but gone thanks to Bronwyn's care. Only the scars that were present long before her slavery were still visible. Her ordeal only showed in the haloed hues of her eyes.

Marcus had been away for a fortnight before he returned. He found her where he had left her. She had fallen asleep sitting on the windowsill with her needle work still in her hands. He stood behind her and admired the workmanship. He could tell this was not her first attempt in the art. The canvas showed a white castle with three tiers surrounded by a forest. Children played in the fields and women hung clothes out to dry on the bright summer day portrayed in the picture. He admired it for a moment before he could not help but reach out to her. His hand gently closed on the upper curve of her arm and her eyes opened. He was surprised when she didn't jump or try to pull away. 

In silent response her other hand moved up to gently cover his. She heard his intake of breath at the first reciprocation of his touch or affections she had given. He moved a little closer, so his body was pressed against the portion of her back not leaning against the wall and asked softly "How did you know it was me?"

She smiled a little at that and murmured "None other would dare touch me but you M'lord." 

He chuckled softly and made no other motions save for the soft caress of his fingers against the bare skin of her arm. "I missed you Diana." 

She closed her eyes and willed herself not to feel the tightening in her chest. She had missed him too but she could not allow herself the luxury of returning his affections. With her silence as only response his hand moved under her chin and gently turned her face towards his. He whispered "Open your eyes" and slowly her blue eyes fluttered open and looked up at him. He held her gaze for a few moments and his hand moved to her cheek. He felt her tense beneath his hand and whispered "Look me in the eye and tell me you feel nothing for me...and I will leave you to your needlework." 

She swallowed against the lump in her throat, holding his gaze for several long moments before she was forced to turn her gaze from his, lest he see the truth in her eyes. She did not know what she felt for him, she just knew she felt the tug at the locks chained to her heart and they threatened to break. He turned her face back to him and pressed his lips softly to hers, not giving her time to protest. 

She gasped against his lips as she felt the gentle caress. Her eyes drifted closed as his lips moved sensually over hers. Her hand tightened on his, still pressed to her arm as she slowly responded to the kiss. She felt as if her heart would beat out of her chest. As she parted her lips a soft sound echoed from his throat as he deepened the kiss, his tongue moving slowly to explore her mouth. Diana suddenly pulled back from him and whispered "no...no I cant..." and then in a former voice "I cant" and she got up and ran down the hallway and out of his sight. 

He stood there in shock for several moments before his hands clenched into fists. Didn't she know what she was doing to him? Kissing him making his knees feel weak and then leaving him in the cold. He was loosing his patience for her game quickly. He had given her every reason to trust him, every reason to return his affections but there was always something holding her back. Marcus was well aware that she had spoken nothing of her past in her tenure at his villa, always managing to avoid his questions. What was she hiding in her past that was so dark and terrible. Didn't she realize that she wasn't the only one fighting demons rooted in the past?

To be continued...



The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 02



Chapter 4

Marcus couldn't sleep. For hours he had tossed and turned trying to sleep until he finally gave up. He couldn't get that woman out of his mind. He would bet his fortune that she cared for him, but she wasn't allowing herself to get close enough for him to find out. He got up out of bed and stormed out of his room, down the hall towards the bath house. When he had designed the villa he had created an elaborate bath that looked more like a hot spring that stayed lush and green all year long. The roof of the bath house was the night sky giving it an exotic look like something out of a dream. Green trees and craggy rocks were littered around a large pool that acted as a bath for the entire household. There was even a small waterfall where the nearby stream was redirected to flow through the room, constantly providing fresh water to the pools.

He walked in and inhaled the moist air into his lungs before he looked towards the bath and stopped in his tracks. For a moment he thought it was a goddess or a water nymph in the pools of warm water, before his eyes focused in the darkness. Her long auburn hair was shining with the moonlight reflected off her damp tresses. The soft light making her pale skin almost white with hollowed shadows. Her hands ran back through her hair as she stood in the waist deep water, exposing the slender curve of her throat as she tilted her head back and let the rivulets of water trail through her hair. 

Marcus was instantly aroused from the beautiful sight. In retrospect he never remembered moving but he was suddenly entering the water from the far end of the pool, hoping she wouldn't hear him. Lucky for him she was too involved in her own thoughts, her own inner turmoil to hear him wade into the water. It wasn't until he was right behind her that she realized there was another presence there. She turned to him, her eyes glaring daggers as her arms moved up to cover her breasts, instantly backing away from the figure before she could register who it was. 

"I see I'm not the only one that couldn't sleep." He said in a hushed tone. She calmed as she realized it was him, but continued to move farther away from him. "Diana please...don't pull away from me." 

She shook her head and whispered under her breath, "No. We cant do this..."

He kept advancing knowing with a few more steps her back would be against the stone wall of the side of the bath. "Why not?" Just then her back touched the rock wall and he couldn't help the smile that curved his lips. He moved one hand to lean on the rocks behind her, his eyes never leaving hers. She looked back at him and seemed as if she started to say something but the words died on her lips.

"Am I so terrible to be around?" he asked with a knowing smile. She shook her head and looked down and began to protest but he cut her off "Then what is it?" She bit her lower lip and would not meet his gaze lest he see the indecision in her eyes. He leaned closer so their bodies were nearly touching in the warm water. "Whatever it is I wont let it hurt you anymore." She closed her eyes and fought against the tightening in her chest, wanting to believe him. Wanting him to keep her safe. But she reminded herself she didn't need protecting. It was him that needed to be protected from her. 

He moved his lips closer, brushing them softly over her ear and whispers "Give me a chance Diana...please..." She felt as if her heart would break as his arms gently circled her and brought his body flush against hers. She could not deny she wanted him but she knew she should pull away. But her body betrayed her, merely wanting a single night in his arms. To pretend that it all would be alright and ignore the future. He saw the longing in her eyes and he gently moved her arms from in front of her breasts to around his neck, pulling her so her she was as close as possible. Marcus just held her for what seemed like a long time, taking in the features of her face, memorizing the curve of her lips and the color of her eyes in the moonlight. 

It was Diana who eventually closed the distance between her lips and his. His hands began to move over her figure, learning each curve, each scar, each place that caused an intake of breath when he caressed her. His hands moved lightly over her breasts, cupping them as he pulled his mouth from hers and trailed kisses down her neck and over each breast in turn. Worshiping her with his mouth as if he was paying homage to the very goddess incarnate before him.

Her hands slowly began to explore his body, the curves of his muscles, the sharp angle of his hips, the rhythm of his heart beating in his chest. She had completely given in to him, allowing herself this one stolen moment in his arms. One of his hands slowly slipped down her stomach and lower caressing the most intimate part of her body. He was amazed that there was little hair to cover her most intimate regions, just enough to show her true hair color was red auburn. 

She moaned softly, burying her face against the curve of his neck as he teased her. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt such arousal. Her heart was thudding in her chest and her breathing came in quick pants against his moist flesh. She cried out softly as his fingers parted her body and one finger slid intimately inside her while another teased over the bud of her pleasure. Her knees nearly buckled and he pressed her back against the stone wall to hold her upright. Her cheeks were flushed and her chest heaved as she struggled to draw air into her lungs. 

In a bold move Diana moved her hand between his legs and her fingers trailed up and down his length. She learned him with her hands for several long moments, that were a pleasurable torture to his senses until he could no longer stand it. He groaned and used his free hand and pulled her soft hand away from his body. 

She looked up at him and whispered "Why did you stop me?" and tried to move her hand back but he pinned it to the wall beside her head and whispered in a hoarse voice

"Because I wont last if you keep going and I want this time to be for you." Accenting his words he slid another finger deep into her body, curling gently to caress her most sensitive regions. All thought was lost to her at that moment, nothing but a pleasure more intense than she had ever felt coursing through her. Marcus released her hand and she moved it around his neck, running both hands through his hair as she tried to keep her balance as her legs refused to hold her. "Let go Diana" he whispered "Let me love you." 

His fingers moved faster and he trailed kisses down her neck as far as he could before moving back up to her ears. She pulled his lips to hers and kissed him, moaning into his mouth until she was forced to break the kiss and she whispered "Please..." That was all it took. He didn't need to be asked twice. He picked her up and wrapped her legs around his hips reluctantly pulling his fingers from her pleasure center. 

He looked into her eyes in question making sure it was what she wanted. In answer to the question in his eyes she kissed him and slowly guided his length into her body. She held very still, barely daring to breathe as he filled her completely both too enraptured with the intimacy to even move. Slowly she began to move against his body, a soft moan escaping her throat. Taking her movements as a sign she was pleasured and not pained he slowly began thrusting, pressing her back against the wall so he could touch her with one hand. His hand moved over her breast, the flair of her hip and her abdomen as he caressed and explored her body. He leaned back slightly so he could see her flushed face, head tilted back and her lips parted in awe of the pleasure. There was nothing more beautiful in the world than her at that moment. 

He sped up his movements, his thrusts coming harder and faster as he was reaching the end of his restraint. Wanting her to be with him he moved his hand between her legs and caressed the tiny nub of her pleasure. He was rewarded by her nails digging into his shoulder as she gasped for pleasure. Even now he could tell she was holding back and whispered 

"Let go...Let it happen." His fingers moved faster against the most intimate part of her body he brought her pleasure in ways she had never known possible. He stared into her eyes as she got so close to release and pressed his lips to the spot just below her ear and gently teased it with his tongue. That was all it took for her to come apart in his arms crying out as her orgasm washed over her. Feeling her tighten around him and her nails digging into his shoulders in turn pushed him over the edge and he moaned as he felt his own release in a moment of pleasure so intense lightning flashed behind his closed eyes as he thrust as deeply into her body as possible. 

After several long breathless moments he slowly let her legs slide down his till she was standing in the water, but didn't release her from his tight hold. Her breathing was ragged, her breasts rising and falling in quick succession against his chest. He slowly separated their bodies and he picked her up in his arms and carried her back towards his rooms. No one was awake at such a late hour so no one witnessed the two of them, naked and dripping wet as he walked through the halls. Diana's arms wrapped around his neck as she nuzzled against him. She pushed all thoughts of regret from her mind, letting herself enjoy the feeling of his arms around her. 

They entered his chambers and Marcus walked over to the enormous bed and lay her carefully down on the silk sheets before he joined her. He curled up beside her, throwing one arm over her stomach and one of his legs slid between hers. She let out a heavy sigh and her arms wrapped around him, holding him close. She was grateful he could not see her eyes as they were moist with tears. She could see herself falling in love with this kind man if she let herself, but she did not have that luxury. She knew she couldn't stay or endanger all the people who had been so kind to her in the last months as she healed in body and spirit. She looked down at his face and moved her fingers over the side of his cheek. One night in his arms, she would allow herself that. She let her eyes drift closed with a deep sigh and she fell asleep beside him.

Chapter 5

She awoke to his gentle caresses as he leaned over her body, where he had apparently been watching her sleep. She looked up into his eyes silently as one of his hands caressed her. 

He watched her for several long moments before she broke the silence. "Why? Why did you buy me that day at the auction?" 

He looked down her body and his fingers traced some of the scars still left over from the beatings she had endured before he had found her. "Such flesh as yours should not be touched with a scourge. From the first moment I saw you I knew I couldn't let you suffer anymore." 

She moved one hand over his cheek softly and murmured "Thank you, for saving me." 

He a wide grin bloomed on his lips. "How could I let them hurt you and still call 

myself a man" he replied. 

"Then you are one of the few men left in the world my lord" she whispered. He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers lightly, then her nose, and each of her closed eyes. It was all she could do to keep from crying but a single tear trickled down her cheek. Seeing the tear his lips moved close and kissed away the salty drop before running his hands through her hair.

"Marcus," he said "I'm a general. I'm not pretty enough to be a lord in the kings court." 

She stared at him and leaned back to put some space between them so she could look into his eyes. "Is that what they call you when you go into battle?" 

"Did you not realize whose evil clutches you have fallen into?" he asked.

"I do not believe you are evil" she murmured. 

With that he laughed a mirthless laugh and muttered under his breath "I have heard what they call me, 'The Butcher.' My men like it but I abhor it." 

Her face drained of color as she heard his words and her body tensed. Suddenly she remembered why he looked familiar, memories from her life long since put behind her sprang to life. 

"Do you fear me now?" he asked "I promise to never hurt you. I can not help but do my duty as general to my king. I cant help if the other army should fail against me." He gazed down at her seeing her narrow her eyes and she was suddenly cold as ice in his arms. She tried to pull away from his arms, feeling too close to him. She saw the sadness enter his eyes but for the moment she didn't care. The hurt of her own wounds she thought had healed suddenly felt raw and fresh with blood. 

"You pull yourself...your spirit from me" he said.

She managed to pull enough away from him to sit up at the end of the bed and wrapped the sheet around her naked form. "A King can help the performances of his own generals, and his generals the soldiers." 

"What is this? What hurts you so?" He was puzzled by her cryptic remark and sat up himself. He slowly moved closer and moved his hands lightly over her arms as he sat behind her on the bed. 

"You know not what your armies do when you are not there. There is good reason people flee when they hear that the Butchers armies are coming." Her tone was so harsh that he let his hands fell to the bed. Now it was his turn to get slightly agitated.

"My personal troops are disciplined. They perform no unjust actions other then decimating the opposition. I can not be everywhere." 

She narrowed her eyes and whispered "I think you are mistaken. Men are all too often motivated by power or greed..." her voice trailed off slightly and softened a touch. "Few are as kind as you seem to be."

His own anger calmed as her words gentled but kept the firmness and he said "I fight along side my men. I come by my scars honestly." 

She did her best to not let her temper rise again. She felt so torn between rage and a feeling for him she could not name that she cursed the fates for bringing her together with this man. "And I come by my own. But some of mine are far worse then you could ever bare." It had been 14 years in captivity and those years seemed like a thousand lifetimes from all the horror she had experienced. 

As if he could see the turmoil in her eyes he leaned close and took her hand and placed it over a scar on his chest and whispered "Would you rather this Elven spear pierce my heart?" His words seemed to strike home and she knew that although for all that time she had been blaming him for her captivity, the blame was not his.

A single tear trickled down her cheek and she replied "No my lord...I merely wish justice done to those of your men who deserve it. Not to the General that does his best to follow his Kings command." He leaned forward and gently took her hand and drew her closer and she knew she should resist him, but her resolve was obliterated as he kissed the tears from her cheeks. His lips moved from her cheeks to her eyes and then finally to her lips. 

His tenderness only make the tears move faster and he drew her closer into his arms and asked in a soft almost pained voice "Diana did I hurt you?" 

"No..." she whispered as she shook her head "T'was your men's betrayal, unknown to you, that hurt me"

His eyes hardened and said in a harsh tone 

"Would you know them if you saw them again?" 

She sighed deeply and shook her head a little and murmurs "There faces will always be ingrained in my memory. But I wouldn't suggest you let me see them again. I don't know if I could control myself with so many swords around."

She watched as his lips curved into a cold, cruel smile that few had seen and lived to tell the tale. Marcus took her hand and brought her palm to his lips and replied "You would not need to sully these hands." 

Her eyes widened as she spoke in soft awe. "You do not even know what they did, yet you would readily trust my word over theirs? Or do you doubt my skill?" Her chin rose and for a moment it seemed that that flash of strength and stubbornness in her eyes was familiar to him, but he could not place it. 

He moved his hand to her cheek and his thumb brushed just below her eye. "I trust you because I can see the truth in your eyes. And the pain." A teasing smile curved his lips and he said "No I don't doubt your skill." 

Her eyes flickered with challenge and she replied "I could match you in battle, perhaps even beat you with the right advantage" but in her heart she knew they were probably quite evenly matched. 

A soft laugh escaped his throat and his lips formed a satyrs grin. "The way you match me in here there isn't a doubt in my mind." He leaned close and wrapped an arm around her and pressed his lips close to her ear. "I want to crush those who caused you pain. And I'm very good at crushing." She nodded a little silently and the fingers of one hand gently caressed his over her stomach. She remembered the time she had seen him in his rage. She prayed that she would never met him at battle, and a mirthless laugh escaped her throat as she thought that though her prayers had been answered the cost had been great. She withdrew from her thoughts as she felt him shift so he could look into her eyes. "I will protect you, until you want to leave me" he said as he brushed his hand thru her hair.

She looked up into his eyes and could see the kindness and the love hidden beneath the tough exterior and she began to wonder how she couldn't fall in love with him. Star crossed beyond belief but she felt the love there, a mere rose bud in her heart, waiting to be nurtured into blossom. To her people she had been dead for years, so what was the harm? To him she was just an ordinary elf maiden, no privilege, no wealth, no responsibility. She nodded to him and gave him the most genuine smile she could considering how torn she was in her heart. He obviously didn't notice the forced smile and he leaned down and kissed her lips.

"I have to get some work done Diana, and if I stay here any longer then I will be in bed with you all day." She smiled at that and watched him get up from the bed and get dressed. He returned the grin and then quietly slipped out the door of his room. As she watched him leave the smile she had plastered on her face melted away, leaving only the anguish she felt in her heart. 

Chapter 6

Not soon after he left Bronwyn came in with a tray of food and Diana's needlework. As if she knew she didn't want to socialize, Bronwyn left as quietly as she came. Diana worked silently on the needlework and finished the scene of the tiered castle. When Marcus came in late that night she was already in bed, pretending to be asleep. He walked in silently and disrobed before slipping into bed beside her. He draped one arm over her body and kissed her cheek before settling down for the night. She looked out the window and saw the moon rising on the horizon and knew she had to leave. It was far too dangerous for him if she was to stay. 

She carefully moved his arm off her body and slipped from the bed. She went into his closet, moving as silent as the night breeze and put on a white toga. She took a short sword from the pile of armor Marcus shed and fastened it at her waist. Lastly she took his black cloak and draped it over her shoulders. She couldn't look back at him as it felt like her heart would break so she went immediately to the door. Her hand moved to the doorknob when she felt a hand grab her wrist and spin her around and pinned her hard with her back against the door. She gasped and with her free hand went to the short sword and had it pulled and at his throat before he could blink. 

"Why? Why in Zeus' name are you leaving after what we have shared?" Marcus' voice was harsh from a pain he felt was tearing him apart. He had given her everything and she was trying to leave. He felt if he let her through that door she would take his heart with her and he didn't know if he could live through another heartbreak. 




The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 02



"I can not stay with you Marcus. Its not safe for either of us." 

"There is no place safer then this villa with my personal guards all around" He said, the anger shining in his eyes.

"Your guards distrust me and you risk them distrusting you by being with me" she said in a soft voice. 

"Do you really think they would disobey me if I granted you amnesty in my home? They have seen me in battle and do not wish to have my temper turn on them." 

She shuddered and pulled free from his grip holding her against the door and pushed the blade closer to his throat without breaking the skin. "I have seen you in battle I wont see you turn that inward against your own men because of me." Her words were firm but held a harshness that sent his blood cold. 

"When?" he thought back "Caerelon? Doer Malter?" 

She shook her head no and whispered in a barely audible voice. "Ennonlai." 

He looked down and spoke in a hushed voice. "I was younger then, just earned my command." He looked up and towards the wall, staring into nothingness. "Do you know how the war started? Not what is said but what really happened?" 

She smiled a bitter sweet smile and looked down as she spoke, moving the blade from his throat and resheathed it at her waist. "A very young nobleman was with his new young wife in the forest DarNereth. They didn't know they were trespassing, and they were challenged by one of the Elven scouts. The fool tried to fight, he did well, taking down two. But when one of the scouts shot his bow the young man should of died. The mans wife dove in front, to push him out of the way, and the arrow took her instead. The Young man enraged charged the bowman, taking two arrows in the chest, killing the scouts. If she was anyone else war might not have happened, but she was the kings niece, Siana, thus war broke out a bloody war of vengeance between the men of Adam and the Forrest for the past fourteen years."

He looked at her, his mouth open, outwardly in shock. He shook his head to clear it for a moment and merely stared at her trying to find words. After several long moments of silence he managed to croak out "I..I had forgiven your people long ago for what happened to my wife. The fires of hate quenched in more blood then I can remember. King Earlar will stop at nothing to keep the war going." He shuddered as he spoke, his body shaking slightly. "But...how did you know?"

She closed her eyes and whispered "It was my business to know" 

His eyes glistened with something between anger and awareness and he moved his hand to her chin, forcing her to look at him. "What is your real name?" suddenly realizing that Diana had to have been a pseudonym.

She tried to turn her face from his, struggling for several brief moments which only encouraged him to tighten his grip and hold her still as he used his weight to press her against the door. "Tell me..." he said in a deadly voice.

"Elwyn" Her voice was shaking as she whispered "I saw you from the balcony of the citadel when your troops road up." She let the silence grow as she watched his face as the puzzle pieces clicked into place, realizing she was the heir to the throne of his kings enemy. 

He pulled away from where his arms still held her trapped against the door and moved over to the window, bracing his hands on the sides and letting his head fall down and he swore. "Mirthras God of war how you must hate me."

It seemed all the anger had gone out of her voice, as if she knew it would do no good to either of them. She remained near the door, her hand moving to the handle as she spoke. "I do not hate you. You are not the man you were that day." 

He turned and walked back towards her and sternly said "You must not tell anyone. Not until I get you home, your life would become a chip in Earlar's game." 

"There is nothing left of my home" she swallowed against the lump in her throat "You have not been back to see the ruin." 

"But the War. Your people fight because of you. Earlar's health is failing and you should be at the head of your armies." He turned his back to her gazing back towards the window as if there were some answer there between the moon and starlight.

"I have not been their princess for a very long time Marcus. The years weigh heavy on me. I don't intend to go back to them."

"Then where would you go?" he asked softly. 

She walks over to him and stands a shoulders width behind him, looking out the window with him as if she could see something he could not. "Somewhere across the sea. Somewhere where it is still green and bright where blood has not soaked the earth to a crimson glow." 

He looked over his shoulder at her and whispered, "I would never see you again..." he said more as a statement then a question. To that she had no answer. He turned fully and took a step forward closing the distance between them and looked down into her pale blue eyes. "Is this truly what you want Elwyn?" 

She let her eyes close and savored the sound of her name on his lips for a few moments. "It is too dangerous for you if I stay" she said.

"I don't care about danger!" He said half in anger half in sorrow, moving forward to grasp her arms as if she would disappear through his fingers. "I care about you even though I am not worthy of you." She looked up at him and she felt her heart skip a beat with his words. She held his gaze and managed to force out the words that nearly caught in her throat.

"I want to leave Marcus." She asked herself why her heart felt like it was breaking as she said the words. His grip tightened on her arms for a moment as if he was going to force her to stay. Marcus reached for the blade at her waist pulling it from its sheath, the sharpness of the blade reflecting the moonlight that spilled in through the open window. He raised his arm and brought his sword swiftly towards her, aiming for her neck. She stared into his eyes as the blade cut thru the thin collar around her neck, letting the material fall to the ground, leaving her unharmed. He handed the blade back to her.

"There. You are free." he said in as neutral a voice as he could manage. He then turned back to the window, knowing that he would not be able to hide the emotions from his eyes as she turned to leave. She bit her lower lip and turned towards the door. 

Her hand rested on the handle opening the door a crack before she paused and spoke, unable to leave it seemed without being honest to him. "Any other time...any other place Marcus." She turned and looked at him "I would gladly stay and spend every night in your arms." She began to open the door when she felt his hands on hers, turning her to him. He could not hide the ragged emotions on his face.

"Then stay Elwyn. Stay." he beseeched holding her hands in his over his heart. 

"I cant..."

"No one will know you here. No one will expect to look for you here. This very well could be the safest place for you." 

She looked up at him and felt a lump rise in her throat. "You want me to stay that much?"

He looked down into her eyes and she could see the answer clearly in those depths. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, kissing her deeply. She felt herself melting in his arms. Goddess help her, but she wanted to stay. She could find no strength to pull away from his arms and she found she could not deny herself the only thing she had ever wanted for her own selfish reasons. Her arms wrapped around him and his hands removed his cloak from her shoulders. He led her back to bed and drew her into his embrace, holding her to him as if he never wanted to let her go. Neither of them realized when his door silently shut and a smiling Bronwyn continued to walk silently through the villa as she extinguished the candles along the halls that were still lit.



The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 03



Chapter 7

It was not long till the spring flowers pushed their way through the winter snows. But it seemed to Marcus that the winter had not been so desolate with his new beautiful flower by his side. As much time as he could possibly spare he spent by Elwyn's side. He usually found her out in the gardens, even though he assured her she didn't need to work she continued for the sheer pleasure of tending the warm tilled earth. When she wasn't caring for the vast gardens in the center of the villa he usually found her sitting in the high branches of a tree with her needlework or sitting behind piles of books in the library. 

The more time they spent together, the more he saw her smile and it seemed as if some weight began to lift from her shoulders. When they were together they were always wary of the prying eyes that were all around. They rarely had time alone, as she still slept most nights in her own room, not wanting people to begin talking more then they already were. All had realized that Elwyn's position was somehow elevated now that the velvet collar around her neck was gone, but most believed it only because she had become Marcus' personal play thing. So the lovers contact consisted of casual caresses and the occasional stolen moment when all else were asleep.

He had given her free movement anywhere in the villa and all of the servants had come to accept that she was a presence that wasn't going away. Most approached her with a mild acceptance but such was to be expected considering the events that had transpired in the last fourteen years. Once the elves and humans had gotten along as brothers and sisters, lived and traded together before all had become bitter with the aftertaste of war. No longer were the elves welcome in human cities, nor the humans welcome at the Elven citadel. 

The villa soon became busy with preparations for the spring celebration of the equinox, a time traditionally when all celebrated together not as servant as master, but each as equals honoring the balance of the world. Vines were draped along the banisters and flowers of every color and shape were on the tables and draped in the door ways. Pitchers of clear cool water would be set on the table, but many would remain untouched as the wine flagons continued to be refilled. The most delicious dried and fresh fruits, cheeses and vegetables would be set at every table, though few would sit and eat a proper meal. The musicians would begin to play early in the afternoon and dancing would go on long after the lamps had been lit. 

The gaiety was at its finest during the sunset, saying goodbye to the chilled spring months and welcoming the warm days of summer. The villa was alive with music and laughter before Marcus realized that Elwyn was no where to be seen. He had been so preoccupied with the job of playing the host that he hadn't even noticed she wasn't taking part in the festivities. As he moved through the crowds, his eyes always searching for a glimpse of her auburn tresses or a flash of those sapphire eyes. He searched the entire span of the celebrations and couldn't find her. Panic welled in this throat making it difficult to swallow. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned quickly seeing Bronwyn behind him. He had been so lost in his thoughts and concerns that he hadn't heard her behind him. Bronwyn merely smiled and pointed towards the balcony away from the festivities, and turned to continue tending to the many guests. 

Marcus walked quickly over to the balcony and a sigh of relief escaped his chest as he saw her standing there. She wore a long blue toga that brushed the ground as she walked. The fabric, gathered at several points over her shoulders and arms with gold clasps left teasing glimpses of her bare skin. Her long auburn hair highlighted like waves of fire in the light of the setting sun that shone gold, red and deep violet behind the soft cover of clouds. 

As he walked to her, her head turned a fraction, glimpsing who it was from the corner of her eye and a soft smile curved her lips. She did not move, letting him come to her. He quietly wrapped his arms around her waist, and her hands covered his as he pulled Elwyn closer till her back rested against the cold metal of his chest plate. He pressed his cheek to hers as he silently gazed out at the setting sun, watching as the reds turned to purples, and the gold's turned to blues. When the sun finally set below the horizon he glanced back over his shoulder. The festivities were in their prime. All were dancing and the music was loud enough that the walls vibrated softly with the tune. They wouldn't be missed. He clasped her hand and gently lead her silently through the hallways till the door of his large room shut behind them.

As the door shut he pulled her to him and kissed her with all the pent up passion since their last escape weeks ago from prying eyes. She barely heard the lock click behind him as her arms moved to wrap around his neck, pulling her up into the kiss. All thought drained from their minds, falling back onto his bed as their cries of pleasure were drowned in the music and laughter echoing down the halls. 

Chapter 8

It was long after the sun had risen before she opened her eyes. She felt his arms around her and turned her head, her eyes blinking to adjust to the light pouring in the room from the open windows. How strange it was to sleep so close to another, she thought. She moved one finger down the side of his cheek softly, feeling the soft stubble that had grown during the night. Elwyn felt him shift slightly in his sleep, but he did not wake. 

Turmoil threatened to overrun her inner thoughts. But as she gazed into his sleeping face she willed herself to begin believing in hope again, and perhaps even, in love. Things that had for what seemed like an eternity been far from her reach, mere myth and fairy tales told by a glowing fire. She sighed softly and lay beside him, gently stroking his chest now and again, making sure not to wake him. She watched him sleep, admiring the contours of his face, his still youthful complexion. And even the small worry lines that were beginning to form here and there, homage to the experienced warrior he was.

Finally he shifted restlessly and his eyes began to open. She smiled as she watched the sleep fade from his eyes, looking more like a child in that awe of waking from a night of blissful dreams then the man he was. 

"How long were you watching me sleep?" Marcus murmured as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Long enough" she said with a smile, leaning close to brush a feather soft kiss to his lips. A soft groan escaped his lips and his hand snaked behind her neck, holding her close for the kiss as he deepened it. He wrapped the other around her waist and pulled her so she lay flush on top of him, feeling the morning evidence of his arousal pressed intimately against her. 

She pulled back and a soft blush crept over her cheeks as she looked down into his eyes. "Already?"

"I can never be sated when the well of life is here before me. I must drink." He said with a mischievous grin and began to place soft kisses over her neck and the upper curve of her breasts. She ran her hand back through his hair in a gentle caress and gave a slight tug, so he looked into her eyes.

"You already have my heart you rouge." He looked at her somewhat surprised, as it was the first time she had expressed that she might return the feelings that dwelled in his heart. 

"Do I Elwyn?" 

She couldn't help smiling slightly with the doubt in his voice. "Yes...you do." He leaned up and kissed her fiercely. A soft moan echoed from her throat as his hands began to wander down her body. She pulled her lips from his and began to kiss slowly down his chest, letting her hands explore every inch of his body. Her lips began to tease his belly button and her breasts brushed softly against his arousal

"Ahhh...Elwyn" he murmured. 

"Yes?" she asked with a grin as she ran her tongue over his abdomen and trailing lower, teasing him with each breath against his sensitive flesh. 

"Nothing..." he murmured as he lost himself in the sensations.

"You were about to say something. What was it?"

A shiver ran thru his body and his hands moved back through her hair, obviously having problems thinking due to her ministrations.

"Ahhhhhhh....never...mind" he gasped and he grasped her hair more firmly as she took the head of his length into her warm mouth for the briefest of moments. 

She leaned back and rested her head on her hand as if she had intentions to stopping. "No really. I want to know." 

He made a sound that was somewhere between a growl and a laugh and he begged softly "My princess, Please." 

She grinned and began to trail kisses up his thighs and she said again "My lord, It might have been important. Do try to remember." and ran her tongue up almost touching his arousal before moving down the other thigh. 

"Oh" he whispered "my mind is gone. There is only you." She laughs and continued his torment. 

She licked him from the base of his arousal all the way to the head and then blew cool air along his length watching as he clutched at the blankets. She continued to tease him with feather light caresses of her tongue.

"Mithras, Give me strength!" he swore as his hips moved slightly trying to get more contact with her sweet mouth. 

"Having problems holding on beloved?" But before he could answer she took the entire length of his arousal into her mouth, stroking him with her hands and tongue. She pleasured him expertly, feeling herself growing wet and flushed as she heard the soft sounds that escaped his throat. She began to move her mouth up and down over his shaft a little faster and he murmured

"Oh Elwyn, You are my Goddess." She began to hum softly letting the vibrations caress his arousal and the sound that escaped his lips was strained as he tried to hold on, to make the pleasure last. She leaned up with a grin and slowly crawled up his body. Her hand moving beneath her to stroke his length. 

She grinned and couldn't help teasing him a bit. "My, What a display. Did I do that? she asked innocently. Still gripping him she slid the head over her satin folds, letting him feel the moisture there. 

He shuddered and murmured in a harsh tone, trying desperately to keep control

"Well I certainly am no longer in control my princess." She grinned and guided him to her center and slowly pressed her body down over his. She moaned and sat up, giving him a clear view of his length slowly disappearing into her body. "Oh Lover, That feels so good" he whispered and arched his hips up, making her gasp. His arousal slid home, his love only rivaled by his desire, he began to rotate his hips, thrusting up into her. As she began to move his hands slid over her breasts and her stomach, caressing her curves. Her breathing began to quicken, her face slightly flushed as she struggled to make the pleasure last.

"You feel so good inside me" she whispered between her moans. It seemed neither of them had the patience for slow lovemaking and they both began to quicken their movements. His thrusts came harder, in time with her movements as she rocked her hips above his. Her moans got more high pitched, her hands pressing on his shoulders and her nails digging slightly into his flesh as she used her grip as leverage. He looked up at her, awed by the expression of pure pleasure on her face and in response moved one hand down and teased the small center of her pleasure. 

"I love you my Princess, my Elwyn." His teasing and his words was all it took to send her over the edge. She rocked her hips frantically against him until she cried out as her release washed over her. He groaned as he felt her tighten around his length with her orgasm and he turned her over onto her back as she relaxed against him. He looked down into her eyes and began to drive into her, pulling all the way out and thrusting back in as far as he could. She whimpered so sensitive after her release. His eyes never left hers as he watched a pleasure nearing pain bloom on her face. 

The pleasure blurred so much that as he shifted her body over to her stomach, she was amazed that his arousal never left he body. Her weight on her hands and knees he leaned close and began thrusting again. He began kissing the scars along her back and he could feel her tense with the sensations. He whispered in assurance 

"I love every tiny part of you Elwyn." His hand moved down her stomach and began to tease her with his fingers again so close to his own release. She would have argued with him but she too began to be lost, moaning with his thrusts. "Every...beautiful...part" he said as he punctuated each word with his thrusts. He glanced down watching his length disappear into her tight channel and he finally lost his control. He thrust into her as hard as he could, barely hearing her cry out as another release washed over her. He pressed into her, arching his back as he emptied his seed deep into her body. After several long moments they both collapsed on the bed, his still pulsing length still deep inside her as they spooned together, as close as they could get.

They both slowly calmed down, his hands softly moving over her body as he kissed her shoulders and the back of her neck, nuzzling her hair. She moved her hand up and gently caressed the back of his head.

"Elwyn I hope I please you." 

She slowly dislodged herself from him and turned into his arms and pressed close, sighing contentedly and whispers "Oh Yes. In so many ways." He pulled her close and he pressed his lips to hers softly, in a chaste loving kiss. She rested her cheek against his chest and a pang of sorrow echoed in her heart as she felt his hand slide protectively over her stomach. "I hope I please you" she said.

He was amazed after all they had been thru there was still doubt in her mind. He moved his hand thru her hair, holding her head to his chest as he whispered in her ear

"More then air, I love you more then air. Never have I felt so entwined. You make me a living man again." 

She closed her eyes tight and whispered in a trembling voice "More than children?" Her breath caught in her throat. 

It took him a moment of recognition to understand her cryptic remark. His reply was without hesitation. "This war has left many children with no parents. Could we not open our home?" 

She nodded a little and whispered. "The slavers...they used to give me something." She swallowed against the lump in her throat. "I don't know if it was...permanent." She pressed her face against his neck holding him tight, unable to meet his eyes. She felt his hand slide down her body and press against her lower abdomen.

"If the gods so bless us" and pressed his lips to her ear. "I will not set you aside my love." 

Tears trickled down her cheek and she held him all the tighter. "I'm so blessed already. The gods gave me you." She slowly looked up to him and moved her hand softly over his cheek. He turned his lips and kissed her palm and she couldn't understand why she was crying. Perhaps it was because through all the horrors she had experienced over the last fourteen years she hadn't shed a single tear in defiance to those who wanted nothing more then to hear her scream. He had stripped her down to the bones with his love, leaving her vulnerable to emotions she had long buried. 

She wept because there was nothing she wanted more in the world then to carry his children. But he was right. There were many children without parents and they could easily take in one or two or ten. Just as he leaned in to kiss her again they both heard a knock on the door of his chamber. She pulled the blanket up to cover her as Marcus casually pulled his broadsword from under the mattress of the bed, holding it in readiness.

"Who disturbs me?" he called in the voice of a commander. 

A male voice called from behind the door "Forgive me my lord. But a messenger from the king just arrived and said it was most urgent."

"Have him wait in the solar and give the man refreshment." 

A meek voice replied "Yes my lord."

"What do you think he wants?" Elwyn inquired as his hand pulled a silent rope by the head of his bed. Bronwyn came in through a side door approaching the couple. 

"I don't know, the advisors to the crown are nervous with me spending so much time near the city instead of out sullying my hands with their dirty work." He put on a toga and a leather kilt over it and slides into his chest plate, buckling on the sheath of his broadsword and sliding it home. 

She sits up and narrowed her eyes a bit "Are you going alone?" He couldn't help smiling a little 

"I'll have Caspar and Garenth, my aides de camp, with me." He then looks to the servant and says "Elwyn is now the lady of the house, Bronwyn. Find her appropriate garb if you would?" The woman bowed with a smile and left. 

Elwyn got up wrapping the sheet around herself and said "Don't you dare go doing anything rash. Especially without me." He began to see some of the stubbornness and the warrior return to her eyes and he couldn't help smiling. 

He pulled her close giving her a kiss that made her knees week before pulling from her arms. "Have you ever heard of me being rash?" he said at his best shot at an innocent expression. 

She glared at him, still slightly dazed from the kiss and muttered. "Yes. Please take me with you if you have to go to the city. No one will know me." 

He raised a brow. "Take an elf maid to the court of Earlar?" 

"I could go in disguise. A simple cloak could do that and some simple trickery. Besides no one would expect it and the King wouldn't dream it in a thousand years." 

He moved his hands over her cheeks drawing her closer with the gentle caress, trying to tell her without words she was something precious to be cherished. "I can deny you nothing. But wear a dagger hidden somewhere." 

She leaned up and brushed a quick kiss across his lips. "Let me pick a short sword and I'll be happier." 

"When Bronwyn comes back tell her to escort you to the armory." He kisses her once more before he left the room, heading down to the solar to meet the messenger.

Chapter 9

As he walked Caspar and Gareth fell into step behind him. He opened the doors to the solar, a bright room. The Messenger stood with a glass of wine as they entered.

"Now my good man, what does his highness desire of his humble general" Marcus inquired. 

"The king has requested your presence at the palace for a meeting of great importance." 

A soft growl escaped Marcus's throat and muttered "Very well. Tell him I will be alone directly in the next few hours." He began to turn and walk out when the messenger, meekly spoke up

"Sir...I have specific instruction to escort you there my lord. There is a carriage waiting outside." His message delivered the man quickly made his way out of the room while Marcus fumed and tried to figure out what Earlar was up to. 

After Marcus had left, Elwyn went into the bath, scrubbing her skin clean till she had a healthy glow about her. When she got out Bronwyn had come back with a choice of dresses and she decided on a dress of the finest green velvet with a darker green bodice on top, revealing the tops of the soft curves of her breasts in pale contrast to the dark material. Elwyn was surprised to see the beautiful gowns, not in the style of roman fashion but rather the work of great elven seamstress before the hard times befell the treaties of the two most powerful nations in the land. Bronwyn helped her dress and comb her waist length auburn tresses. She looked in the mirror and barely recognized herself. It had been so long since she had dressed to her station she had forgotten what it was to have feel velvet beneath her fingertips.




The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 03



After she was finished dressing, Bronwyn led her down to the armory. She looked around at all the brute heavy weapons the humans carried and she grimaced a little. None of their blades carried any elegance in the forging. Finally she glimpsed another small room with a tall guard standing in front. The door behind him was open and she could see Elven weapons, the spoils of war, that had been collected. She began to approach the door when the guard stepped in her way and he said in a gruff voice

"This is a special hoard and I have orders that none are allowed to touch it." 

As she looked up at the man she could tell he was apprehensive of her presence and she spoke in a cordial voice that betrayed her royal breeding "Please, I have permission from Marcus to access these weapons." 

The guard seemed to look at Bronwyn for instructions and the old woman walked right up to him, a whole foot and a half shorter then him and said "Since when do the guards not respect the word of a lady?" The guard looked down and grumbled slightly and let Elwyn pass into the small room. The serving woman glared and threatened "Don't make me spank you as I did when you were a child Brullo. This is the new lady of the house." 

The man watched as Elwyn moved thru the weapons and took a quiver of arrows and strapped it to her back, brushing her long hair over it. The two standing at the door blinked when they looked again and it was as if the quiver had disappeared from sight and Bronwyn muttered something under her breath about Elven magic. Elwyn hiked her dress up to her knee and strapped a short sword to her leg and finally took a small dagger in its sheath and slipped it beneath her bodice close to her skin. Brullo glared at her as he began to realize that she wasn't going to just dissapear and watched as she left the armory, grimacing in return for the polite nod she gave as she passed him. Behind her she heard the smack of Bronwyn's hand against Brullo's cheek and she muttered "That's enough of that boy" before following Elwyn back out, holding a long cloak in her arms.

As Elwyn walked along the corridors Caspar, a tall redheaded man with an infectious smile, came sprinting down the hall. 

"Ahh yes. M'lady. Marcus sent me to see if you found everything you needed." She looked him over, giving a soft smile, unsure of what to make of him yet. There was a twinkle in his eye as Caspar realized what had the normally cool general all hot and bothered. He gave her a wink and said "M'lord waits for you in the Solar if you are finished."

She kept a straight face until he winked and her cheeks flushed a soft laugh resembling wind chimes escaped her throat "Impatient is he? Well I shouldn't keep him in suspense long." She walked with Caspar towards the solar. 

"Indeed. The king has sent a carriage" Caspar laughed a deep rumble from down in his chest "The general hates carriages." 

The humor evoked another small laugh from her throat and she agreed "Yes he does seem more like a horseman himself." As they reached the solar Caspar opened the door for the two women and then followed them in. Marcus had been sitting down but leapt to his feet as the door opened and turned to them. He stood in awe for a moment and Elwyn could feel his gaze travel up and down her form as strongly as if he had run his hands over her body. 

He moved closer and held out his hand for hers and said "M'lady, you look ravishing." She took his hand and let her head fall forward as she curtseyed to him before meeting his gaze again. Between the clean clothes and her brushed hair and radiant skin she looked like the gods had breathed new life into her form, beginning to resemble the princess she had left behind long ago. "I take it you found a blade that appeals to you?" he said. She smiled and she moved closer to him pulling his arms around her. 

His expression was confused as he felt the quiver of arrows beneath her hair and looked again but still couldn't see it. "Yes indeed. And I have a short sword strapped to my right calf as well as one other blade." Her back was to Bronwyn and Caspar who were speaking quietly and he took the opportunity to move his hand over her stomach and up over her breasts, his fingers delving between them to lightly touch the blade she had hidden there. As he began to pull back his hands lingered to give her breasts a gentle squeeze before he motioned Bronwyn closer with the cloak. 

"Well, keeping the king waiting will only antagonize him...we should be going." As close as they were he was the only one that could hear the intake of breath when he teased her, and her eyes flickered with passion as she continued to stare at him while Bronwyn put the cloak on her shoulders. She smiled as if nothing had happened and pulled the hood of her cloak up, hiding her noticeably pointed ears beneath her hair. Only the most powerful or most intelligent members of the court may suspect her race but they would never guess with a whisper of magic to encourage them. Elwyn and Marcus walked together out of the villa towards the carriage and he helped her inside while Caspar and Gareth mounted horses and rode behind them. Elwyn leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder, one hand smoothing the fabric of the dress. 

"Thank you for the dress. Its beautiful" 

"You make it so Princess" 

She blushed with his words as it had been so long since she felt like the princess she was. So long since she let herself feel anything for that matter."How far is it?" she asked.

"About a league as the hawk flies." She let her eyes close and she moved close to him, stifling a yawn. He moved his arm around her and kissed her forehead as she fell asleep against him. He moved a soft hand over her cheek, tracing her delicate features and he whispered "I love you." She shifted a little in her sleep and whispered 

"I love you too."



The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 04



She woke when the carriage began to slow, her eyes fluttering open.

"Wake up M'lady. We are here." He gazed down at her, smiling, and she leaned up, her eyes dreary with sleep and kissed him ever so softly.

"I could get very used to waking up to your smile," she whispered.

He kissed her back tenderly and pulled away just as the door of the carriage opened. He got up and he began to get out as he felt her hand move over his ass in a gentle grope. He grinned wryly as he helped her out of the carriage and she gave him a stoic innocent look as if nothing had happened. She made sure her hood was pulled down covering most of her features as they walked into the castle and whispered words under her breath sealed her disguise. They moved thru the large lavishly decorated rooms till they came to the main throne room and an eerie feeling settled over her. Marcus took her hand and placed it on Caspar's arm.

"Take care of her my old friend." Marcus then turned to her and in a slightly stern voice said "Do not leave Caspar's side." 

A feeling of dread overwhelmed her even though there was no emotion on her delicate features. "Not unless I have too" was her only reply. Marcus turned and walked into one of the far corners of the throne room and several guards escorted him through a door. A herald presented him to the king in his own private political chambers behind the throne room. Marcus dropped to a kneeling position, his head bowed.

"Your Majesty. An honor as always." 

The king motioned for him to rise and moved away from Marcus and went over to the open balcony windows. King Earlar waved the other guard in the room out and the man promptly left, leaving the two men alone. Marcus got to his feet and stood at attention, hands behind his back. "You are the best of my generals are you not?" the king asked.

Marcus smiled grimly and spoke in a solemn tone. "It has been said so Highness. However, I believe Conrad has a sharper grasp of strategy."

The king looked as if deep in thought, keeping his back to his general. "And what number do your armies and supports come to now Marcus?" 

"My legions are yours, Majesty. They number five thousand strong." 

The king nods slightly and turns to him. "And what of Conrad? What count has he?" 

Marcus wondered what the king was getting at and thought for a moment. "Some ten thousand and Heiljuk has eight thousand. But my men are seasoned veterans where theirs are green troops who have never seen battle." 

The king let silence reign in the air for several long moments. He turned his back to Marcus and turned to look to the east out the window. "I am old Marcus. I would have you do something for me before I die."

"Majesty?" he asked. Marcus began to think something was wrong as even with his war mongering the king had never been one to despair. 

"There have been several attacks on our merchants traveling here from the sea. I want you to go back to Ennonlai and wipe out the marauders and thieves there." The king made it sound as if it was a light and easy task. Earlar neglected to mention the huge number of skilled warriors that he suspected still hid in the woods as the remnants of the Elven people began to band together. 

Marcus sighed and asked in a weary voice "More blood shed Majesty?" 

The king turned quickly, a frown making him look much older than his years. "I will see justice before I die. If you are loyal to your king you will do as he commands without question. I must ensure my people are protected!" Even in his grief, Marcus had never heard Earlar speak in such a way and it fueled his own anger. 

"Earlar how long have we known each other?" 

The kings eyes flickered with disdain and said in a menacing voice "Long enough to know that when I give an order my general will follow it. You will either obey my command or you will die." The king turned around and stared towards the east once more. There were no longer happy wrinkles on his face, only the crease in his forehead creating a permanent frown and the dark baggy circles beneath his eyes. 

Marcus was infuriated and leaned forward and pounded his hand on the kings desk. "Damn it! I'm speaking as a man. She was my wife! You don't think I had rage?" 

The king remained silent almost as if he didn't hear the temper tantrum of his best general. "I have had five reports of merchants in the forests being robbed and killed. I will see that my people have the trading paths open while I still live and breathe. I will see justice..." and as if on a side note he whispers "for all." 

Marcus' voice went cold and he said "Of course Sire" and turns and tromped out, the door slamming behind him. 

Meanwhile back in the throne room Elwyn waited impatiently. She began to pace back and forth as a gnawing darkness teased the back of her mind. She finally felt Caspar's arm on hers and he smiled gently

"Easy M'lady. He will be ok." 

She shook her head and whispered "Something is wrong. I can feel it." 

Caspar looked at her slightly skeptically and pointed to the guards outside the chamber. "They would be in there if there was a problem." 

She shook her head and spoke in a hushed voice so only Marcus' two personal guards could hear. "No. Its not that. I cant tell what it is. But something is very wrong here." She sighed and tried to calmed down and began to look around the large room, seeing all the hustle and bustle around.

One particular man caught her eye. The man was dressed in the finest clothes money could buy, long red scholars robes that dragged along the floor behind him. He wore a necklace fit for a king with large gemstones of every color imaginable and his long shoulder length black hair was pulled back in a braid. She looked him over carefully noticing each minute detail. The man spoke to others in a cordial way but radiated a darkness that startled her to the core. 

She leaned closer to Caspar and asked "Who is that?" 

Caspar turned and spit as if the disgust of mentioning the man was too great.

"Chancellor Raygar." She raised an eyebrow waiting for further explanation. "I'd say he's a weasel, but I don't want to insult weasels. He seeks to hold the kings ear against all who counsel him." She turned stole a brief glimpse of the Chancellor once more but as she turned away her gaze met his for a split second even as she casually turned to pretend to talk to Caspar about something unimportant. Elwyn didn't see the smile on Raygar's face as he began to walk towards her, the smile looking out of place on his features giving him a sinister look.

Gareth stepped closer to her, a tall silent, bald man that had arms like tree limbs and probably stronger. His weapon of choice a heavy mace thrust through his belt. Caspar also took a small step closer as she composed herself. She gathered her strength before turning to the chancellor as he approached offering a soft smile. The Chancellor stopped in front of them and nodded to the two soldiers and spoke in cruel tone meant to rub them the wrong way.

"Why its so good to see you two boys again. Still hanging on Marcus' shirt tails I see." He then, seemingly for the first time, saw the lady standing between them. "Well what have we here. Who might this charming young lady be." The chancellor took a small step closer and held out his hand to hers. Her two bodyguards took half a step forward protectively, but her hand went up as a sign for them to stop. 

She bowed her head and curtseyed to Raygar as she held her hand out, letting it slide into his cold grip and she spoke softly "Diana, M'lord" she said, giving him the name she had first given Marcus upon meeting him. 

The chancellor took her hand and brought it to his lips as was the custom. "Indeed" he said as if contemplating the name and her face. He pressed his lips on her hand a few moments longer then was cordial but finally released her. She felt his hand move under her chin and slowly bring her face up to meet his eyes and he murmured "Such a charming creature." And then looked towards the two guards once more "Wherever did you brutes find her?" 

Caspar's hand went to the hilt of his sword and the chancellor broke all contact with Elwyn, still remaining close, but didn't look threatened at all at the prospect of the sword. Caspar's voice was cold and accusing as he spoke. "Chancellor, do mine ears deceive or are you asking after M'lord's business?" 

Just at that moment Marcus came storming out of the kings private chambers and the chancellor turned to her and whispered in a hushed tone only she could hear "We shall meet again elf queen." And a soft laugh could be heard as the chancellor went on about his business. She turned her back to the court and moved against the nearby wall, her face pale and her breath ragged. As they had spoken so politely, the chancellor had tried to force his way into her thoughts, to her mind. It had taken all her strength to uphold her mental barriers and keep him out. She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Marcus' questioning gaze. 

He whispered "Come on. Lets go home." His arm gently wrapped around her waist and he guided her through the hallways till the reached the carriage.

Chapter 11

Raygar retreated to his private chambers as he saw the two love birds leave. He watched them from his balcony grinding his teeth. How could it be? With all his carefully laid plans how could something of this magnitude slip through his fingers. He stormed back into his room and picked up a vase from the table and threw it against the wall. He was so close! And that witch had to come and foul things up. Raygar forced himself to calm down and think clearly. He wouldn't let years of planning go down the drain because of the life of one miserable elf. He sat down at his writing table and began scribbling a letter of warning to his comrade, notifying him of her presence. Was she a fool to come walking back into the lions den after so long? She would never regain her throne, not if he had anything to do with it. 

He knew that Elwyn wouldn't die from the spell he cast. It was potent but her royal blood would save her last minute no doubt. If she died so much the better. He finished writing the letter and opened the door to his chambers handing it to a servant. "Have this delivered. If you are intercepted I will have your head. Go now with utmost speed." Raygar slammed the door and poured himself a glass of the kings best wine drinking deeply. The situation could be salvaged. A wicked grin began to slowly curve his lips as new plan slowly crept into his consciousness. Oh yes. It would be so much sweeter than he imagined it with the elf queen back in the picture. A deep laugh escaped his throat and he moved back to the window, watching the army of imperial soldiers leaving the gate of the city.

Marcus could tell something was wrong but he didn't want to ask until they were safely away from the city. He picked Elwyn up in his arms and climbed into the carriage, settling her on his lap. 

Her breathing had calmed slightly but was still ragged as she whispered "He...he knew who I was. He tried to get into my mind Marcus...and I was failing." 

His mind was already leaps and bounds ahead of hers, talking more to himself then to anyone in particular "This complicates things then. We may not escape with all my legions, probably only my house hold guard" he said more to himself than her. 

"What?" 

"We have to leave. If the scum is a magician he knows I intend to defy Earlar." 

She shakes her head and tries to make Marcus understand the magnitude of the power this man possesses. "I've never seen a magician with powers like this. They are dark and...terrible." She shivered and curled up closer to him.

"Which means a legion of Imperials will head to the villa." 

She shook her head and tried to get him to understand but realized it was futile.

"What did the king wish to speak to you about?"

"He wants me to end the war" he said solemnly. 

She looks up, her eyes wide in horror. "How?" 

"By killing everyone." 

She stared blankly as if she couldn't wrap her mind around the concept. She shivered and whispered "Marcus, hold me. I'm so cold." He took off his cloak and wrapped it around her, holding her close. When they arrived he got out of the carriage and beckons the driver closer and slugged him in the chin, knocking the man out so he couldn't go report back to the king. Marcus went back to the carriage and took Elwyn in his arms but her eyes were closed her form limp as a rag doll. He began to panic and moved his hand to hers holding it tight, it was cold as ice and he noticed a light blue mark on her flesh in a cylindrical shape. 

He held her tight and ran into the villa and called out "Get Bronwyn! I think my lady has been poisoned." He took her up to their room and laid her on the bed and sitting beside her. He held her hand and pressed it to his chest, her hand gripping his tight, the only sign of life besides her labored breathing. One thought kept running through his mind 'no...no not again' as he held her hand to his cheek. 

Bronwyn came in with her box of herbs and set them down on the floor. She moved her hand to Elwyn's forehead and she whispered "Goddess of healing..." swearing and she went to the door and called out down the halls "Bring me blankets and several bed warmers. NOW!" and went back to the bed and calmly said "The first thing we have to do is get her warm." Marcus began pulling off his armor and slipped under the blanket and pressed her body close to his. She was so cold to the touch it pained him to be near her, but he could not let her go, holding her tighter in response. Moments later several servants came in and began piling more blankets over them both and sliding several bed warmers filled with hot coals under the layers of material. Bronwyn sat on the floor.

"It's a powerful spell called Deaths Kiss, meant to freeze the body from the outside in till finally the heart is frozen solid. I have never known it to be put into practice since my great grandmothers time." Bronwyn was the last in a long line of druids and experienced in the healing arts. She opened her box and took out her herbs and began to grind them up with her mortar and pestle as she hummed a soft haunting tune. 

Marcus leaned closer and whispered in Elwyn's ear "You better get warm woman. I cant do this again." Whether it was his words or the spell that Bronwyn was forming beside the bed, Elwyn's eyes fluttered open for the briefest of moments. Her eyes were ice blue and unnatural looking as she stared up at him. He moved his hand over her cheek and whispered her name softly. But her eyes drifted closed once more, the effort taking too much of her strength as her grip loosened on his hand. 

"Hurry Bronwyn...please ..." his voice holding a desperation that was on the verge of tears. He moved his hands over her body trying to warm her and he buried his face against her neck to hide the tears that were beginning to form. What seemed like forever was only a few moments more when Bronwyn held a cup with a fire red liquid in it. She got up and coaxed Elwyn's mouth open and helped her drink it sip by sip making sure none was spilled. 

With the first sip Elwyn began to cough, the liquid running down her throat like fire. It burned each time she took a sip but as the warmth began to spread through her limbs it began to ease. Bronwyn put her hand on Elwyn's brow and felt her temperature rising and a soft smile curved the woman's lips. 

She put a hand on Marcus' shoulder and said "She'll be alright. She is a fighter." He nodded and relief washed through him. He wiped the moisture from his face and leaned down to kiss her softly. Her lips moved against his ever so slightly and as he pulled back her eyes fluttered open, once more the deep blue green that he had come to know so well. Just as her eyes fluttered open he heard the alarm bells being sounded thru the compound. He swore and realized it had been a trap for all along. 

"We have to leave."

Chapter 12

Marcus got up and began to walk to the door just as Caspar barged in, breathing hard and holding his sword, already bloodied. 

"The horses are ready, the Calvary is set to go but the Imperials are already here." Marcus draws his sword and curses and quickly dons his armor again. "Give me 

time!" he muttered and looked back to Elwyn "We will need her later. We haven't enough skilled bowmen to outlast the Imps." Some of the color began to return to her cheeks but she was still all but lifeless on the bed. 

Bronwyn who had been sitting beside her and rubbed Elwyn's hand where the chancellor had kissed, where the worst of the damage was. But now the older woman got up and stared at the men "She is in no position to be fighting right now." Just then Garenth came in and bowed to Marcus.

"She may have to" Marcus replied.

"Right now she couldn't lift a blade if her life depended on it. The herbs need more time" Bronwyn protested.

Garenth looks at Marcus and with a nod of permission Garenth went to the bed and scooped up Elwyn blankets and all, holding her in his arms.

"Garenth will escort you to one of the secret chambers until it is safe to try and escape. But right now I have to show those purple cloaked dandies a thing or two about sword play." Bronwyn gathered her things and Garenth kicked a secret panel in the room and disappeared down a long hallway, the panel closing after Bronwyn too disappeared down it. When the secret door shut Marcus and Caspar fought their way to the stables and Marcus mounted Morgenstern, his battle stallion. Garenth lead them into a small secret room where he placed Elwyn on a small cot. She was shifting as she begin come back to life, her eyes opening and looking around. Garenth leaned in and whispered in the princess' ear for several moments before he disappeared to help Marcus. 

The battle raged on outside the safe stone walls and trickled into the confides of the villa. Marcus and his troops had the advantage on their horses and began to quickly dispatch the imperial soldiers. Marcus' soldiers fought well and as the last Imperial soldier fell to the ground there was a great cheer form the men. But their victory was short lived as an arrow shot from just beyond the villa, fell and killed one of the lieutenants. The small ambush had given the king time to dispense even more soldiers. Marcus thought 'the king must be really desperate to get rid of me.' He held his shield up over his head as the arrows began to fly as and more imperials swarmed the villa. The battle waged for what seemed like forever but the sun that had been high on the horizon when the battle started was just beginning to set. Men of both sides lay strewn about in various states of death and dismemberment. The archers had advanced to inside the walls, getting more deadly shots with each arrow. 

A figure cloaked all in black appeared on the balcony of the highest watch tower, overlooking the battle field like an angel of death. The imperials, gave a cheer thinking it was Raygar who had come to watch the carnage and began to fight all the harder. Beams of light from the setting sun lit up the tower as if it was in flames just as the robe flew off the individual, revealing Elwyn with her bow raised. She began letting arrow after arrow fly with lightning precision and speed, hitting her mark every time on the imperial soldiers uniform. There was a cheer from Marcus and his men. 

"For our Lady men! Death and fire!" Caspar called out and the Calvary began to push harder against the soldiers and with the advantage of Elwyn's bow the tides began to turn. One impossible shot after another flew from her bow as she stood atop the tower. But suddenly as if in slow motion, an imperial soldier with a bow and arrow fired a shot towards Elwyn and life seemed to creep by as the arrow drew closer and closer to her form. The arrow swiftly drew nearer and many of the men watched in horror. With all the noise she could not hear her loves cry of warning. But her well trained ears could hear the singing of the arrow as it approached her. She glanced in the direction of the arrow and life suddenly sped up into full speed as she caught the arrow and sent it back shooting the person who fired it at her within a manner of seconds.




The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 04



Marcus' troops began to clean up the last remnants of the fight when Marcus rode as fast as he could for the tower calling her name. Elwyn heard him calling for her but she kept firing till there were only about 20 arrows left in her quiver of the several hundred that she stared with. She took out each of the enemy archers before she paused to breathe and only Marcus could tell she was struggling merely to stay upright. She smiled at him and the last rays of sunlight caressed her auburn hair making it shine like brown amber. He called out to her 

"Come to me Lover. Let us away." She disappeared into the tower and she ran down the stairs and out the bottom. She ran up and he grabbed her hand and pulled her up in front of him on Morgenstern. He pulled in the reigns and the horse sped out in front of the others, leading the way for the Calvary out of the villa. "Hold on!" he told her.

"I've been riding since before your grandfather was born" she said over her shoulder, smirking slightly at him. Her face was still paler then normal and she favored her right hand that was still cool to the touch, the blue mark still visible. She leaned back against him letting him support her and her eyes drifted closed as she moved with the horses movements. He wrapped his arm around her waist holding her tighter and pressed his face into the soft curve of her neck, taking a deep shuddering breath of relief.



The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 05



(Sorry it took so long everyone. Thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoy this next installment with Marcus and Elwyn.)

*

They rode until the moon was high in the sky with the cavalry and the imperial carriage that had been left at the villa. She fell into a light sleep as they rode, allowing herself that weakness knowing she was not yet fully recovered. But as Garenth had told her, they couldn't have won the battle without her bow. 

They finally pulled to a halt in an open field and Elwyn was instantly awake before Marcus lifted her off the horse. He immediately took several soldiers and scouted out the perimeter to make sure there was no one else lurking about. The rest of the men who weren't wounded helped set up the tents and build several small fires while Bronwyn worked her magic to keep their encampment hidden from the enemy's prying eyes. 

When Marcus came looking for Elwyn she was at first no where to be found. He told himself not to panic as he went looking, glancing in the tents and around corners. 'Where has that woman gotten off too' he thought. And then he heard her soft but commanding voice coming from the tent of healing. As he walked in he saw her kneeling over one of the men and bandaging a gash across his chest. People kept calling out her name and she continued to give instructions, sending men this way and that to make sure everyone was taken care of. She finished stitching up the wound of the soldier in front of her and brought one of the servants from the villa over and told her how to clean and bandage the wound. Marcus could see that she was weary. It was not in her posture, or her face, but in her eyes taking on those gray undertones that were so telling. 

She was about to move to the next injured man when she saw Bronwyn come in through the other tent door. Elwyn smiled softly, knowing they would get much more done with the two of them even though she had remarkably taken care of almost half of the wounded since they got there. Blood covered her hands and she wiped her forehead with her arm surveying those that still needed tending. She jumped as she felt arms slide around her waist, so focused she didn't hear the sound of familiar footsteps behind her. Marcus leaned close and pressed his face close to her ear placing a tender kiss. She smiled softly and whispered

"I have to go Marcus...there are other wounded that need to be taken care of." Elwyn wiggled out of his grasp and washed her hands removing the blood that stained her pale skin a deep rouge. He stood behind her with his arms crossed over his chest

"Yes including you." She waved off his comment and began to move towards a man on a nearby cot when Marcus reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him and said in a smooth coaxing voice "Come Beloved. Rest. Let Bronwyn tend the men" he laughed softly "you already have their hearts." She tried half heatedly to struggle against his grip, her hands pressing against his chest and pushed.

"No...there are too many for Bronwyn to care for alone." And she looked up at him as if trying to make him understand that she was needed there. He held her tighter in his grip and he leaned closer and whispered in her ear 

"Stubborn Elf Woman..." and leaned down, and swung her up into his arms and began walking towards the large tent in the middle of the compound. She finally gave in and rested her head on his chest as he walked into the tent. As the tent flap closed there was a loud cheer from the whole camp, Caspar's voice suspiciously louder then the rest. She blushed and looked up at him and muttered 

"Brutish human man." He grinned down at her and he lightly kissed her lips, so grateful she was in his arms and alive. The tent was lavishly furnished with layers of blankets piled on top of each other to make a bed along with the basic necessities along the edge of the tent. In one corner was all the weaponry and in another all the treasure that could be saved without causing more lives to be lost. Marcus lay her down gently on the bed, keeping his arms around her.

"I told you they would like you" he said as he kissed her cheek. 

"Sure. Now that they know I can match any of them in battle" she said and laughed softly. Elwyn looked up at him and moved her hand to caress his cheek. His eyes closed and his lips pressed against the cold palm of her right hand. She whispers "I'm sorry." His eyes opened and looked down, running one hand back thru her auburn tresses. 

"For what lover?" 

Her hand moves down his chest and lightly over his armor. "For scaring you earlier." 

He pulled his armor off quicker then she thought possible leaving it beside the bed and he crawled on top of her and kissed her neck. "You are most certainly not allowed to do that again" he said with a smile. He settled on top of her as her legs parted naturally around him, bringing a soft moan from his lips. "About this dress" he said as he moved his hips against hers, making her gasp. "Its worse than bleeding armor." He said as his hands roamed softly over her body, very aware of the fact that she had been ill. She couldn't help laughing softly

"Cod piece get a little tight during battle?" In answer he moved his hips in a slow teasing motion against hers, making her acutely aware of his arousal. Elwyn realized she still had the short sword strapped to her leg and she reached down to remove it when she felt his hand on hers. Marcus lifted her skirt to her knees and gently removed the blade and set it within easy reach by the bed. She smiled tiredly and carefully took the sheathed dagger from between her breasts and put it under their pillow. 

"Remind me never to ride Morgenstern with you unless I have several hours to make love to you." 

She blushed as he drew more laughter from her lips. "Oh was it that bad?" 

He growled a little and rocked his hips harder against her, pressing more intimately so she could feel every inch of him through the fabric of her dress.

"Yes it was. Feeling you rocking against me with the motion of the horse, the smell of your hair as it whipped behind us, the feel of your body as I held you." He leans down kissed her, slowly and sensually as if he had all the time in the world. He reluctantly pulled his lips from hers and kissed her forehead. "I know your not up for anything right now but know that I want you so much right now I hurt" he said with soft mirth in his voice. She bit her lower lip and was about to say something when he hushed her protests. He slid beside her and pulled her close, one leg slipping between hers, bringing her body against his. Marcus took a deep shuddering breath and began to calm down as her hands moved softly over his shoulders and back, relieving some of the tension that dwelled there. It was not long until they fell asleep, entwined in each others arms.

Chapter 14

Elwyn felt a hand touch her arm in her sleep and before she was fully conscious her hand gripped the short sword beside the bed and swung it towards the person beside her. She heard a clang of sword hitting sword as she opened her eyes to see Marcus sitting beside her, his own sword pressed against her blade. He was grinning and said 

"Jumpy?" She groaned sleepily and put the sword by her side, watching as he resheathed his own blade. "You know...if I wasn't so quick with a blade you would be short a lover right now" he commented as he sat down on the bed. The tent was bright with sunlight and she rubbed her eyes and whispered

"What time is it?" He lay down beside her on the bed, his head propped up on his hand as he lay on his side.

"Almost noon day. Bronwyn said you might sleep late. How do you feel?" he moved his hand over her hair in a gentle caress. Elwyn began to sit up but she got dizzy and his arms wrapped around her to pull her back down to the bed, her hand pressed to her forehead.

"Like death warmed over. I swear if I ever see that man again I will tear his eyes out." 

He laughed softly and nuzzled against her neck "My ferocious lady." He ran his fingertips over her cheek and she looked up at him seeing an emotion she couldn't name settled on his features. "I have received word from my legions. They are gathered in strength at my southern estates." 

She rubs her eyes as she woke and tried to shake off the ill feeling and murmured. "How many stayed?" knowing that not all would choose to go into exile with their commander.

"My entire guard and more then half of the reserves." 

She nodded and moved one hand softly over his chest, her fingers feeling over the thick armor he had on. "What do you intend to do now?" His hands in turn began to move over her soft curves as if he was taking his time to memorize each inch of her body. 

"I don't know" he said, but there was something in his voice that made her doubt the truth in his words. She forced herself into a sitting position and his arms moved around her, supporting her. Her eyes closed as she waited for the room to stop spinning around her. "Still not well my love?" but it was more of a statement then a question. 

Elwyn moved her hands against Marcus's chest and whispered "I need to get up. I'm sure Bronwyn needs help." 

He couldn't help smiling and he gently pushed her back down on the bed. "Bronwyn has help. The forest maids and the rest of her order of healers joined us early this morning." 

She shook her head and tried to get up, beginning to protest. "But..." 

He leaned close and planted a deep kiss on her lips. She tried to voice a protest but she quickly became lost in his kiss. Her hands moved up over his chest and wrapped around his neck. A sick feeling filled the pit of his stomach as her cool right hand caressed his neck and he kissed her more fiercely, realizing how close he had been to loosing her. Marcus's arms wrapped around her tighter, pulling her body to his. 

He finally pulled back from her and whispered into her ear "No Elwyn, You need your rest." He kissed her forehead and reluctantly began to remove himself from her embrace. Her arms tightened around him in response and she pressed her face to his neck. "I have a rebellion to plan dearest" he whispered into her ear. 

Elwyn shook her head and whispers "It can wait. We wont have many more moments like this...I can see it in your eyes." She felt her heart ache as his eyes met hers, affirming the truth in her deduction. Marcus pressed his hand over her cheek, his thumb brushing back and forth lightly. She could see the darkness that had settled over him but before she could query him about it he kissed her. Elwyn kissed him back with all the desperation she began to feel, knowing so much would come between them before they could be together like this again. Marcus helped her as she began to fumble to get his armor off and quickly undressed her. 

He broke the kiss and he looked down at her, his hand pressed to the soft curve of her stomach. She blushed as he stared so long before leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her collar bone. His hand began to move downwards, fingers teasing over her abdomen as his lips sought out each breast, leaving tender kisses. Elwyn's hands were not idle as he in turn explored her as if they had all the time in the world. Her hands moved over his chest and his arms, her fingers lingered on each scar, memorizing each part of him as if she could never get enough of the feel of his skin against hers. 

His fingers slid down and began to caress her satin folds, lightly teasing her. Soft moans began to escape her lips as he kissed down her body till his lips met where his hand caressed her. Marcus's tongue pleasured her in the most intimate way a man can love a woman, his hands cradling her hips as her moans pierced the air. He gently slid his fingers into her moist folds, delving deep as his tongue teased the bud of her pleasure. 

Elwyn cried out as she felt his fingers fill her, writhing in his arms as she got so close to the release only he could give. He moaned against her body, her cries of pleasure fueling his arousal more then anything else ever had. Marcus gently curled his fingers upwards, caressing the most sensitive inner walls, pressing and releasing several times. It was all it took to send her over the edge. She cried out with pleasure, her body tensing as she shuddered with release. He laved her body with his tongue for several more moments, tasting her pleasure before he crawled up her body. 

Elwyn was still shaking from her orgasm when she felt his arousal pressing intimately against her. She heard his voice softly calling to her

"Elwyn. Open your eyes". 

Her eyes drifted open and as her gaze met his he slowly began to slide his length into her body. Her back arched like a strung bow and her eyes began to close but his soft murmured protests encouraged her to kept them open. She stared up into his eyes as he slid deep her warmth, filling her completely. He ran one hand through her hair and offered her the greatest gift of all. The gift of patience as he loved her. He lay on top of her for several long moments, staring into her eyes and absorbing each sensation of being inside her. 

She finally whimpered slightly and rocked her hips slowly beneath him and whispered "Please love, please" her voice lush with passion. 

He smiled and with painstaking slowness he began to move inside her. It took all her strength of will to keep his intense gaze, part of her unable to tear herself away from his beautiful eyes. But the pleasure soon overcame them and Marcus began moving faster, working up a sweat as her soft moans rose in the air around them. 

He moved one hand to her cheek and he leaned down and whispered against her lips "I love you Elwyn." 

She wrapped her arms tighter around him, never wanting to let him go and she whispered. "I love you too...so much" Her soft words and gentle caresses was all it took to break his control. He moved hard and fast, staring into her eyes as both of their breaths drew short. They worked each other into a frenzy until both their worlds exploded in a blinding passion. Gasping for breath they lay together, a light sheen of sweat covering their bodies as their heartbeats began to slow. 

He allowed himself several long moments to enjoy the feel of her body before he raised up and looked down at her face. Her eyes were closed and several tears trickled from her eyes. As her eyes drifted open no words of comfort came to him. It would be long before their dreams of love and family could come true. Long before they would be able to hold each other so intimately again. He leaned down and softly kissed her tears away before moving to his lips to hers in a lingering kiss he was reluctant to break.

Chapter 15

Finally he whispered against the curve of her neck. "You know I have to get up Elwyn." 

She nodded a little and released what had become an iron grip on his body. He slowly got up and began to put his clothes and armor back on. She lay on the bed, her hand resting on her stomach as she watched him. Her voice permeated the silence that reigned "Is rebellion the next step? More war?" 

He shook his head, more to himself than her as he thought. "I can see no other option. The people are so tired of war, but there will be fighting no matter what. I intend to make sure it keeps what I have come to love, safe. Not to mention we now have Raygar to deal with." 

She shuddered with the mention of the name and whispers "He is more powerful than you can imagine." Thanks to Bronwyn's healing she had returned mostly to health, save her right hand that still bore the blue mark and would forever be chilled to the touch. 

Marcus finished putting his armor on and sat beside her on the bed, his hand covering hers on her stomach. "Which is one more reason why I need you." She looked up at him and a feeling like the weight of the world was about to be pressed on her shoulders. "I need you to support me Elwyn, to support the only way to save both our peoples." 

As she gazed into his eyes she moved her hand to his face. "I will always support you Marcus." She began to realize that she would be the deciding pawn in this war whether she wanted it or not. Either to be a sacrifice to the greater benefit of others, or to rise and become a queen to make all nations tremble. She only feared that everything she had come to hold dear would be destroyed by the dangerous game being played. 

"Do not pledge before you know what I ask" he said in a serious voice. He took a deep breath as if he too was dreading asking her. "We need the elves. We need the help of the forest." 

Her eyes darkened as she replied. "My own loyalty I can guarantee. But the rest of my people only know you as the man you once were, brutal and to be feared." 

"Which is why only the two of us can go." 

She sat up too quickly and ignored the wave of dizziness that assailed her as she put her hand on his chest. "No. No they will kill you." 

Marcus' voice was solemn with his reply. "If they do, if we can not convince them of the gravity of our need, then I shall pay the price for my crimes."

"No. I have to go I go alone." Her voice dropped slightly "I wont risk loosing you." 

His soft laugh only fueled her temper a little more "Now who risks loosing who? No we shall both go." 

She glared at him and tried to get up, shrugging off his hold on her as she managed to stand. She leaned against one of the poles of the tent, slightly out of breath before she managed to gain control of her bodies weakness. She stood with her chin high and he could see the commanding royalty showing through her stance. "No you wont. They will not harm me. I'm royal blood remember." 

He remained on the bed and said in a soft voice "You wouldn't make it to your borders. And if you are to convince them Elwyn, you know I have to go." 

She moved closer to him and she put her hands on either side of his face and spoke firmly, her body shaking slightly. "Please Marcus. They wont understand. I cant let them kill you. I will be safe. When I am well I will be able to make the trip on my own." 

His men could have told her that when his jaw was set there was no amount of council to dissuade him. "I've already told my men. They will take my place on the field." She closed her eyes and she leaned closer and his arms wrapped around her as his head pressed over her heart. A single tear trickled down her cheek. "They will see. They have too" he said. 

Her grip on him tightened and she whispers with some resignation that he wouldn't change his mind. "I fear for you." 

He looked up at her, pressing a soft kiss over her heart. "Don't my love. I have you to protect me" he said with a teasing smile. 

There was nothing but seriousness in Elwyn's expression. "I don't know if I can protect you from them. They thought me dead years ago." 

He gently pulled her down onto the bed and he brushed her auburn hair from her face. "Shhh. Rest now love. Leave tomorrow till it comes." He leaned down and kissed her and she was so tired she let him tuck her back into bed. He silently walked out of the room and went back to his generals to make final plans while she slept. 

Marcus walked back into the main tent where all his captains were assembled scattered around, looking at maps and talking softly. Caspar looked up and there was a teasing smirk on his face as he looked at the position of the sun on the horizon, noting it had been several hours and then back to Marcus. Marcus glared at him and muttered "Button it." 

Caspar put his hands up in surrender and said "I didn't say anything. How did it go. Did she agree." 

Marcus shook his head a little at Caspar and put his hand on the mans shoulder. "No she didn't agree. But she is going to do it anyway." Caspar nodded and returned the gesture, an unspoken comfort that both of them needed. "If I don't come back, swear to me you will take care of her Caspar." 




The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 05



The lieutenant smiled a bitter sweet smile and drew his blade and made a cut on his palm, and the blood dripped to the earth and he said "I swear by my life or death it will be done." 

Marcus and Caspar shook hands and pulled each other into a strong embrace. They had been best friends since they were children and had fought in many battles side by side. They smiled at each other, a sad smile presented with the fact that they might be parted forever. Marcus took his handkerchief out and wrapped it around Caspar's hand and tied it tight to stop the bleeding. They nodded to each other and both settled down to study the maps and plan the best attack plan when the elves joined their forces.



The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 06



Chapter 16

Elwyn barely moved when Marcus finally joined her after the long day. He looked down at her sleeping form and he ran his fingers through her hair before he lay down on the bed. She lay on her side and he moved as close as possible, his chest pressed against her back. His arm draped around her moving over her stomach softly, finally stilling when he fell asleep. 

Several hours later her eyes opened, wide awake. She very slowly detached herself from his embrace and moved as silent as night through the tent. She picked up her weapons and slid her cloak over her shoulder. She glanced at him for a moment, watching his sleeping form for several precious minutes before she slipped of the tent. The rest of the camp was silent, all the fires were out and all were asleep. She moved into the forest easily, taking a deep breath of the cool night air. But she knew she couldn't linger. She began to move quickly through the woods, moving surely as if the sun had been high in the sky with every detail of the wood illuminated.

She traveled for several hours, ever so often pausing to glance up at the moon to see what time it was and where her position was in relation to the stars. As she moved her mind kept going back to Marcus and she felt a strange pain in her chest when she imagined his sleeping form. But she had no choice. He would die if he came with her. She would have to convince her people herself. She would not risk loosing he whom she loved more then her own life. A bitter sweet smile curved her lips as she thought perhaps she now knew how Siana felt before she died. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sound behind her. She stopped and her hand moved to her short sword strapped to her thigh. She slowly turned and looked around, barely moving so not draw more attention to herself. Her heart began to race with the adrenaline she always felt before battle. She drew her sword in readiness but she didn't see anyone even with her keen Elven slight. 

Suddenly a hand grabbed her wrist that held her blade and another hand covered her mouth, pulling her back against a male body. A cry escaped but was muffled against the hand as the person behind her twisted her arm behind her back, stopping as she dropped her sword, short of causing serious pain. Elwyn's mind raced at how to get out of the strangers grip when she heard an all too familiar voice whispering in her ear.

"My Sweet Princess did you really think you would leave me behind?" Her eyes widened with fury and he loosened his grip letting her pull away and turn to him.

"Marcus! You scared me to death, damn you" she said as she picked up her blade, having half a mind to use it on him but she sheathed it at her thigh. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking very angry. "You were supposed to be asleep" she muttered as she turned and continued walking. 

He reached out and grabbed her arm and pulled her hard to him, his hand threading through her hair and pulling back so he could look into her eyes. Elwyn winced and he loosened his grip slightly but gave no intentions of releasing her. He held her there until she finally met his eyes. "It could have been anyone behind you in the dark. You are still not fully recovered because your senses aren't back to normal. I was expecting you to hear me moving behind you long before now." 

She tried to pull away from him but he held her firmly against him, her hands pushing at his chest. "Let me go Marcus, you brute!" 

He shook his head as he continued to hold her tight. He didn't know if he wanted to make love to her or strangle her. "Not a chance my sweet. Not before we come to an understanding." Elwyn finally calmed down and looked up at him, forcing her temper to cool. He stared into her eyes seeing the stubbornness there, and the resignation, and even in the darkness he could see the sparks of her love for him. 

Marcus leaned in and kissed her softly and her lips remained cold, sealed against his mouth. She wanted it not to affect her, wanting to stay angry with him. His lips moved softly, coaxing her response as his tongue moved over her lips, trying to tease them apart so he could deepen the kiss. He felt her begin to relax in his arms and he held her tighter, supporting her and he whispered "Yes Elwyn. Open up for me." He continued kissing her until her lips parted softly and his tongue gently caressed hers. Marcus calmly pulled back and looked down at her face, and was surprised to see the pain in her eyes.

"You were supposed to be safe" she whispered, feeling as if her heart would break. 

He smiled a bitter sweet smile and moved one hand over her cheek. "I am safe, Love. I'm here with you." He laughed softly and said "I'm just lucky that I had Garenth watching the tent in case you decided to take matters into your own hands. You nearly got away from me once in the same manner if you remember, but even then didn't succeed. What made you think it would work now?" 

Her eyes widened and her brows furrowed a bit, seemingly angry again. "Infuriating man" she muttered, not giving him the benefit of the answer to the rhetorical question "I knew I should have drugged you before I left." 

He could only grin, seeing her frustration. "Did I mention you are beautiful when your angry." 

She curled her hand in a fist and punched his shoulder, knowing the armor would protect him from the force of the blow. He laughed softly and slowly released his hold on her, his hand sliding down to clasp her hand and brought it to his lips before they began walking again in the darkness. There was tension between them as they walked the air thick with words unsaid. Finally as dawn crept over the horizon they came to a small glade with tall grass. 

"We should rest until dusk" she said. She lay her cloak down, crushing the waist high grass to the ground.

"Will you run away again?" She didn't look at him but she shook her head no. She curled up on the cloak and he lay down beside her the same way they had been earlier. But this time it was as if she was pulling herself from him, keeping her distance even as he lay pressed his body tight to hers. Marcus gently turned her towards him and gathered her to his chest. "It will all be alright, I promise. We will make them understand." She pressed her cheek to his chest feeling the cold armor as her arms wrapped around him. He lifted her chin to look into his eyes and said softly "I need you to believe it will be alright Elwyn. Despair will only be our downfall." 

She shook her head and whispered "You are young and full of hope Marcus. I have seen too much. And you don't know the world I left behind." He kissed her forehead and rocked her gently. Normally he would have been offended being labeled as young. He was a man by human years and had been for some time. But it was the way Elwyn said it so gently, and as if it was a blessing more precious than the gems in the mines, so he didn't argue. A single tear trickled down her cheek she allowed herself this moment of weakness, knowing when she got back around her people, she would no longer have the luxury. One muscle at a time relaxed in her body till she was limp in his arms and sleep took hold. Only after he was sure that she was asleep did he allow his eyes to close as well.

Chapter 17

They woke as the sun went down. As they walked it seemed that Elwyn was only a shadow of the woman he had come to know. Her head was held high and there was no emotion in the depths of her eyes. Silence suffocated them like the cloak of darkness. They lost track of time and their pace slowed as the forest grew thicker around them. Elwyn reached out and took Marcus' hand in hers and gave him a slight nod that they were entering the territory of the elves. He felt her hand tighten as she continued to lead him into the ever darkening wood. 

Suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks and his hand went to his blade. Elwyn moved her hand to cover his, shaking her head no. She looked around and ever so slowly began to continue forward. Suddenly there was a soft glow around them, illuminating the eight arrow heads pointed at them from all directions. Elwyn stood straighter and it was Marcus's turn to tighten his grip on her hand. The figures around them parted slightly and a tall elf with long blond hair and eyes as blue as the summers sky stepped forward, a sword in one hand and a lantern in the other.

"What do we have here?" the voice asked. With her free hand Elwyn pulled back the hood of the cloak she was wearing and there was a collective gasp from the men surrounding them. The arrows lowered slightly and the leader whom had spoke stepped forward and said in a shocked voice "We thought you were dead." They all stood with mouth slightly agape as they stared at her, paying little attention to the human man who held her hand. 

A soft diplomatic smile curved her lips as she spoke. "It is good to see you again too Koren." It was then that the sentry looked to the human and the other elves began to raise their bows when her hand moved up signaling them to stop. 

Koren stepped forward and held the light up closer to her face. "Is it truly you Elwyn?" 

Elwyn removed her cloak and handed it to Marcus before turning her back to Koren. She slid her hands back through her hair, pulling it to one side over her shoulder, revealing a mark on the back of her neck that Marcus had never noticed before. The mark was small green tree with a golden crown around the top branches but it didn't look as if it had been placed there with ink, as if the color had grown into her skin reflecting the nature of her bloodline. It was the mark of kings so the rightful heir to the throne would always be known. She turned back to those present "Satisfied?"

Koren smiled and held his hand out to hers. Elwyn took Koren's hand in hers in a firm grip and the elf drew her closer and brought her hand to his lips pressing a gentle kiss on the top of her hand. Marcus became even more uneasy as he watched the Elven sentry pull Elwyn from him. 

"But Elwyn, What happened to you." He then turned and looked to Marcus and grimaced 

"And how came you back to us with this human" said one of the other elves surrounding them, the distaste in his voice more then evident. 

She took a deep breath and said in a firm voice, so unlike the soft kindness in her words of late. "The story is a long and dark one. But it will not be told now. Let it suffice that this man saved me from bondage and was my safeguard on my return here."  

Koren turned towards Marcus and took a step towards him and offered a hand to him. Marcus took it as the sentry spoke "Thanks to you the prayers of our people have been answered. You are welcome here for as long as you would stay. But I must ask for your weapons. They will be kept safe until you leave." It was easy to tell that Marcus didn't like the idea at all. Elwyn looked towards him, her face stoic and unreadable. He gazed into her eyes and found nothing but a steel wall around her emotions. Reluctantly he pulled off all his weapons, even the hidden ones and handed them to Koren with a nod. The sentry gave a soft smile and put Marcus' weapons on his own back before asking "And what is the name of your rescuer Princess?" as he turned back to Elwyn. 

Before she could speak Marcus spoke up. "My name is Marcus." Koren blanched and turned to the human.

"The Marcus? The human general? The Butcher?" 

Marcus winced noticeably with the accusation in the other mans voice. "If you would but hear me and understand I am not the man I was." 

One of the other sentries, a younger elf, unsheathed his sword and came up to Marcus from behind and pressed the blade against his throat. Before the young elf or Marcus could react Elwyn reached for Koren and pulled his personal blade and held it pressed against the young elf's neck. "Put down your sword" she said with such command the young man trembled slightly. 

"But Princess...he is a murderer. He is responsible for killing my father, my brothers..." She narrowed her eyes without saying another word and finally the younger elf backed away and reshiethed his sword. Marcus held his tongue and rubbed his neck slightly.

"This man has my protection until the council should judge otherwise. You have my word that he will cause no harm here" she said.

he men looked back and forth with anger apparent in their eyes. "M'Lady" Koren stepped forward "We are grateful for having you back among us again, but it does not abolish the crimes this man has inflicted upon us." 

She narrows her eyes to Koren, but his gentle tone kept her emotions in check. "He will not be harmed while I still breathe. Put him in chains if it makes you feel better but you would be as savage as the humans when we go to them for parley if you take that action." Elwyn was standing facing Koren and couldn't see the hurt in Marcus's eyes with her words making it seem as if she cared nothing for him. But finally Koren backed down. 

He spoke loud so all around them could here. "So decreed by the princess, this man will have amnesty until the council passes judgment. He will be guarded at all times but will not be harmed." Finally the arrows surrounding Marcus were lowered and put away. Koren began to lead the way with Elwyn walking beside him. The other seven sentries surrounded Marcus as they walked deeper into the forest towards the last remaining parts of what was the great kingdom of elves.

Chapter 18

They walked deep into the forest, night turning to total blackness as the moon disappeared over the mountains. It was all Marcus could do to keep his footing when he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. But the others in the party seemed to move with ease. Dawn was beginning to creep over the horizon by the time they reached a large clearing in the center of the woods. At last Marcus understood why Elwyn had no wish to be back among her people. What he saw shocked him to the bone. No longer did the elves make their homes in tree tops, bound to the ground in tents. Children slept outside with only the stars for their blankets. Women who were younger than Elwyn had grown old in their grief of their fallen husbands and sons. 

Even Elwyn it had seemed had changed. All emotion was absent from her face as she gazed upon her scattered people. There was a darkness to her eyes that he had only glimpsed occasionally as she struggled to heal over the previous months. There was now a rawness with the reopening of those wounds but now there was not even anger to fester away at her and comfort her grief. Simply, Nothingness. 

As they walked those around began to wake and come out of the tents, whispers echoing in the early morning silence. All began to follow, wondering if indeed it was the princess and wondering who the human being guarded so closely was. 

The words spread like wildfire and as they reached the tent of meeting a tall burly elf decked for battle emerged. He wore thick plated armor over his broad torso and his long blond hair was tied back in an intricate braid. His face was stern and proud, his chin high as he gazed upon the princess for several long moments as they stood face to face. All had gone silent as the tension between the two grew. 

Finally the man broke the tension and smiled and stepped forward to take her hand. "How wonderful too see you alive and well, dear Elwyn." There was a flash of some anger in her eyes but she let her hand slide into his none the less. She was very aware that he hadn't used her title, and had done so purposefully. 

"It has been a long time Donovan." She glanced over his armor seeing the leaf clusters on his shoulders "Moved up in ranks since I was captured I see?" 

His smile widened but there was no mirth or laughter in it. "Yes indeed Princess. It is General Donovan now." He brought her hand to his lips with a soft kiss before releasing it. She began to understand the undertones of his words but she only made small recognition of the fact. It was then that Donovan looked up to see who was standing amidst all his soldiers. 

His eyes widened and a cruel smile curved his face. "Oh it can not be. Not the mighty Marcus? The Butcher has come to pay his respects" he said as he began to draw his sword and move towards Marcus. There was a collective gasp and a step back from the crowd, leaving the center of the clearing free for what all assumed would be a battle to the death. Before Donovan could reach Marcus, Elwyn stepped between them. Marcus closed his eyes for a moment, resisting the flashback that played on repeat in his mind of Siana giving her life for his in much the same manner. 

"It is Marcus." She began to speak loudly so all who had gathered could hear. By now all the elves in the encampment were awake and crowding closer to hear her words. "This is also the man who saved my life. He has come to us now in a Parley of peace and is under my protection. No harm shall come to him until the council has passed judgment." 

There was a laugh from behind her as Donovan replied "There is no Council Princess. That died with you." 

Elwyn ignored the challenge in the generals eyes and continued to speak to the crowd. "Then we shall appoint a new council. But first I would beseech all to listen to my tale before you pass judgment on this man." She spoke for several hours, telling of how she was captured and tortured, passed from slaver to slaver until finally it was Marcus who showed her kindness. She left out the part about falling in love knowing it would only worsen a bad situation. She told them how he had saved her life more than once and begged for the help of her people to end a war no one wanted to continue fighting. The crowd listened patiently, absorbed in her tale. 

Marcus watched Elwyn in all her glory and remembered the day he had first seen her. Her shining armor, her long braided hair caught by the wind, her sword drawn and pointed towards the east and the hope that the dawn brought to all. She was more breathtaking now than she was then. But as she told the tale dread filled his heart, and pain. He knew it was not yet the right time to confess their love, but it pained him all the same to keep it secret. She finally stepped down and turned to the guards and said "Pitch a tent for me and beside it a smaller one for our Guest. Guard each entrance to his tent but do not harm him." She glanced into Marcus's eyes for the briefest of moments before walking into the tent of meeting with the General close at her heals.

The guards ushered Marcus off, doing as commanded and sometime later he found himself sitting in a sparsely furnished tent alone with his thoughts. Finally he got restless of waiting and he moved to the doorway. 

Koren stood just beside the front entrance and turned as he saw him. "Is there something that you lack sir?" the elf asked. 

Marcus shook his head and leaned against the pole of the tent lightly. "What is taking them so long?" Marcus was getting frustrated even though he knew they had to go through the preliminaries of setting up a government so he could talk politics.

"It has been long since there has been order among our people." Koren grimaced slightly before continuing "General Donovan has taken that role of late. But it has been more of a monarchy then our line of kings ever was."

"How do you mean?"

"Well It wasn't just the Monarch making decisions in days of old. There was the High Council of Elders and the Senate, the latter usually made up of the younger of our people. When a law was to be passed all needed a majority. Only in time of war and chaos would the Monarch ever make supreme decisions." 

Marcus's face was grim as he listened. "And that is the position Donovan has taken?" 

The elf smiled a bitter sweet smile "Very observant." Marcus frowned as his mind raced. He knew that meant that Elwyn was in danger, and not just from her enemies in the human court. Donovan couldn't have been pleased considering Elwyn's presence threatened to take his new found power away. 




The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 06



"How power hungry is he?" Marcus asked. 

Koren looked at Marcus for several long moments, letting the silence draw out. "Enough that you have a right to be worried about her." 

Marcus blinked and began to protest when Koren held up his hand. "I can see the love in your eyes. As for Elwyn she has always kept herself so guarded that it is impossible to tell if there is emotion there at all." 

Marcus sighed and ran a hand through his hair "Am I that obvious?" 

Koren laughed softly and shook his head "No but I have recognized that look on many of our kindred's faces, not the least my own. But she wanted nothing of us, trying so hard to be the son her father wanted. Even I who have known her since birth and grown up at her side could not reach her heart." There was a sad sort of smile on his face as Koren looked at Marcus. Koren turned and looked straight ahead as Marcus disappeared back inside. Not knowing what else to do Marcus lay down on the cot and forced his eyes closed but found it difficult to sleep without her beside him. He tossed and turned restlessly until he heard Elwyn safely back in her tent not far from him and weariness finally claimed him.

Chapter 19

He awoke late afternoon as the sun was beginning to set on the western horizon. Taking a deep breath he smelled the tray of hot food that was on the small table in the tent. He ate and drank his fill, as he hadn't had a decent meal in two days. He got up and went to the front of his tent to gaze out at the people who imprisoned him. He saw everyone beginning to pack up their things from the clearing, loading them into bags and onto carts. He wasn't surprised to see Koren still standing at the entrance to the tent.

"Ah you are awake" the sentry said. "I have orders to escort you to the tent of meeting" Koren motioned in front of him and began to walk. Marcus followed and glanced towards Elwyn's tent as they moved. In a hushed voice the man said "She is not there. She slept for an hour or two and was up again." 

Marcus nodded and asked "What is going on? Why is everyone packing?" 

"The Princess has decreed that there are enough of us banded together that we should reclaim the castle that was once our pride and glory. We will have a better defense there should Earlar come for us." Marcus nodded slightly as they continued walking. Koren opened the flap of the tent allowing Marcus to enter. Koren gave a bow to those assembled inside and took his post outside the tent. Marcus saw a long table in front of him with Elwyn sitting at the middle, her eyes looking tired. To her right there was a row of the Council of Elders and to her left the Senate, Donovan sitting directly to her left as well as many of his lieutenants. She stood up giving a slight curtsey and motioned to a chair in front of the long table for Marcus to use if he so wished.

"Please state your case before the council General Marcus." She sat back down and watched him silently. 

He took a deep breath, and chose to remain standing before he spoke. "I have come to beseech your people for aid. King Earlar is no longer in his right mind. He is consumed by grief and the dark words of his Chancellor Raygar. I also suspect there is some magical devilry involved." He looked at Elwyn for a moment "As the Princess has said there is evidence of his strength as a magician on her hand." All looked towards Elwyn eyes moving to her hand sitting regally on her lap still baring the light blue mark from the spell. 

There were soft murmurs from the members before he continued. "I have no wish for more bloodshed, but Earlar has commanded me to end the war. He also knows through the chancellor that I intent do disobey his orders. But I can not turn my troops against him alone. I come to plea for your help, for together we can defeat this foe and end the long war between our peoples." There was silence for several long moments before the soft murmuring began between the council members. Elwyn was silent, listening, and watching the reactions. 

One of the older gentleman stood up and addressed Marcus. "Why should we trust 

you, who have been our enemy these long years?" 

Marcus looked at each of the members of council in turn and finally said bluntly "Do you have a choice?" He looked to Elwyn for a moment and then turned and pointed out the door. "Look what your people have been reduced too." He moved his gaze to the other council members. "I remember a great Elven nation that fell once in battle in a thousand years and it can be so again. But not by this senseless hatred or hiding till Earlar comes to destroy what is left of your people." There were more quiet murmurs among the council members. 

Another gentleman sitting next to Elwyn, obviously of high prestige got to his feet. "And what of your crimes against us? Do you repent for those sons, those brothers, those fathers that fell to your sword General?" 

Marcus stiffened and met the gaze of the old man. "Is it a crime to follow ones King? A crime to obey orders?" 

There was a sardonic laugh from the old man "When the king is in the wrong it is the duty of his generals to inform him of such." 

Beginning to get angry Marcus replied "You don't think I tried? You don't think that I had enough guilt with my wife's death on my hands that I needed any more with killing others?"

"You could have always resigned" the old man said. 

Finally Elwyn had enough of the banter and she stood up "Gentleman, please. We are not here to discuss the past. We are here to decide what best course to take to ensure our survival. The grand council will meet later to discuss the fate of our guest." All murmured their apologies and she sat back down. For the briefest moment she met Marcus' eyes and then moved back to the others at the table. She spoke softly with the men on either side of her before speaking again. "The council will consider your proposal. When something is decided you will be informed." 

Marcus bowed to the council and spoke in a calmer tone "Thank you for hearing my case." Koren walked back in, bowing to the council and escorted Marcus out. Elwyn's gaze followed Marcus as he left as did all the council members. Marcus got outside and ran a hand back thru his hair and he was startled when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked to Koren who had a soft sad smile on his face.

"No wars were won in a day. You have done all you can." Perhaps it was something in the soldiers tone but Marcus felt comforted. Marcus nodded to Koren and they continued walking. Back at the tent Marcus was restless. There were too many questions in his mind. What was taking so long to decide? Did Elwyn truly love him? Why was she being so cold? Why did she not give him a glimmer of hope to hold on to with a kind gaze? He finally sat down on the cot and put his head in his hands. He knew he needed to calm down. He had been agitated since the moment the Elven sentries pointed their arrows at him that first night but he was so anxious for things to go rightly. Koren came in soon after "We are leaving." And as they walked outside, the tent was packed up quickly and efficiently behind them.

"We are leaving now?"

"The princess has decreed we should go back to Ennonlai." 

Marcus frowned and looked up at the darkening night around them. "But what about the decision of the council?" 

Koren shook his head and said "A decision will be made when we get there." Marcus shook his head and muttered "We are running out of time." 

There was a solemn expression on Koren's face "We are all running out of time" 

giving him a meaningful glance but did not explain further as they joined the caravan.



The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 07



(Thank you to all my beloved readers who have followed me through the final editing process and posting of this story that has been in the works for almost 5 years now. Thanks to your feedback and overwhelming support I finally feel that it is finished. I hope you enjoy this, the final installment in the story of Marcus and Elwyn.)

Chapter 20

The walk was a long one and there were many women and children slowing them down. Marcus walked with his mind far off, one foot moving mechanically in front of the other. He didn't know how long he had zoned out before he saw a flash of auburn and a glory of red velvet. He blinked and barely realized it was Elwyn in the hand made Elven finery. He could see the weariness on her face and knew that she slept even less than he the night before. Marcus turned to Koren beside him and pointed, an eyebrow raised. 

"She refused to ride in the wagons. She said the small children the mothers and the sick would take up enough room." Koren replied softly. Marcus nodded and continued to watch her. She was going from person to person, speaking and giving hope to the already weary people. For a while she walked beside a woman carrying twin girls, not yet old enough to walk. She opened her arms and gently cradled one of the babies as she and the mother spoke softly. Marcus felt his heart lurch as Elwyn handled the babe as naturally as if it were her own child. There had been a pang of regret in his heart when she had told him she didn't know if she could have children. Mainly because there was nothing more in the world he wanted more then to give her that sparkle in her eyes. He wanted to see her joy as she grew round with his child. 

His thoughts were scattered as a young boy looking to be about 7 years ran past him. Koren called out to the boy "Liam, be careful. Watch where you are going." 

The boy turned a bit as he heard Koren's voice and lost his footing and landed on the ground with a thump not far ahead of them. Koren shook his head and both men walked a little faster to catch up with the child. Liam got up and brushed off his knees but was unharmed. Koren brushed the last of the dirt off the boys clothes before giving him a nod that he could continue playing. Marcus wondered if it was Koren's child but when the boy spoke he knew he wasn't.

"Koren, how much further is it? My legs are tired." The boy said with a heavy sigh. 

"It is still a long way Liam. Go rest in one of the wagons if you like." 

The boy grimaced and muttered "The wagons are for the girls." 

Both men laughed as the boy sounded so detested at the thought of being around his female peers. Marcus looked at the boy and said "Well we all better start moving or they will leave us behind." Marcus reached down and swooped the child up as if he was light as a feather and set the boy to sit on his shoulders. 

Liam clapped his hands and said "Wow I can see everything from here." Several of the other elves had stopped to stare at the spectacle, of the human man letting the Elven boy ride on his shoulders. Some shook their heads and kept walking. Others smiled. Elwyn heard the commotion and still holding the infant in her arms she turned around. Her eyes met Marcus and held for a heart beats time that seemed to last forever. It was then he saw the love in her eyes. The depth and the feeling she kept so well hidden. Then as suddenly as she stopped, she turned away, breaking the stolen moment. 

They walked for hours and soon Liam began to fall asleep. Marcus shifted the boy from his shoulders into his arms and let him sleep, not having the heart to put him down with the others in the wagons. 

Marcus looked to Koren for a moment. "Are his parents here?" 

Koren solemnly shook his head and said "No. His father was killed in battle, and his mother died of grief. It is not the way of our people to make war. We may live a long time if such sorrows do not befall us and cause us to fade." Marcus looked down into the face of the child and then back to Elwyn, now not far in front of them. Would she too fade, he wondered after he had died. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts from such matters, knowing now was not the time for questions. They all had to live to see the dawn first. 

Just as the sun was peaking over the sky they emerged from the forest. Before them was a sight of desolate beauty. The once glorious castle of Ennonlai lay before them; walls broken, vines creeping up its tarnished white walls, the occasional helmet of a fallen soldier on the ground. 

Elwyn made her way to the front of the procession again and was directing her people with an air of nobility and command that no one dared question her. "Take the women and children to the second floor rooms. All men and boys that are strong enough to fight take residence in the lower halls on the first floor. We should all rest until mid day and then I will see the council in the Hall of assembly." Elwyn then began to help the women and the children make their way up the stairs. 

Still holding Liam in his arms fast asleep, Marcus followed with Koren beside him. As he moved into the castle his eyes were marveled at the beauty in the ancient palace and could only wonder what it was like in its full glory. 

They all began to climb the stairs to the second floor and Marcus turned to Koren and whispered. "Aren't they safer on the ground floor? Where they can escape if need be?" 

Koren only smiled softly and replied "This palace was made long before any of this age came to draw breath. It has many secrets." Marcus only nodded even though he didn't understand. Elwyn began to lead the women into rooms, that save for the layer of dust that had formed were as perfect as they had been when the last Elven kin fled into the forest. Marcus waited patiently with Liam still cradled in his arms. Finally Elwyn turned to him and held her arms out for the child. Marcus looked to Koren and strangely enough saw him talking with another woman across the room. Marcus gently placed the sleeping child in Elwyn's arms and the boy wrapped his arms around her neck in a natural gesture of sleep. Marcus's touch lingered on her skin for as long as he dared without looking suspicious as he gave her the boy.

He whispered as soft as he could manage "Princess you must rest." 

She held the child a little closer as she read all the meaning he had put into the simple words and savored the love in his voice. "I will rest. I have several hours before the council will meet again." 

He looked at her long before whispering "You are ready to drop. I can see it in your eyes." She took a small step back and with one more parting glance she turned from him. She walked silently with the boy into one of the rooms where she tucked him in to bed. Marcus let out a sigh and shook his head and suddenly felt a hand on his arm and jumped in surprise. "Koren you shouldn't sneak up on people like that" he murmured. 

Koren only smiled and led Marcus back down stairs. The two men walked in silence in the lower halls till they reached some of the smaller rooms, obviously servants quarters. Koren opened a door and motioned Marcus inside. Marcus walked in and murmured "I'm beginning to feel like the criminal you all are making me out to be, shuffling me from room to room." Koren began to close the door when Marcus's hand moved out to stop it. Koren met his eyes. "Thank you. For earlier." 

Koren merely smiled and nodded to him. "I will be just outside should you need anything." The door shut softly and Marcus looked around the small room. It was sparsely furnished with the basic necessities. He went over to the bed and lay down trying to calm his mind from the continuous circles in which it had been running and the never ending questions and doubts that plagued his thoughts. 

Chapter 21

Elwyn finally got a chance to rest and she moved through the corridors of the castle to her old room. She slowly opened the door and was surprised it was just as she had left it. It seemed that the aura of death around the fallen citadel had kept even the thieves and vagabonds from making their homes within their walls. All was in perfect order from the made bed to her brush sitting on the vanity. Moving over to the vanity she sat down in front of the mirror. She automatically moved to the drawer on the right and opened it, reaching deep inside. She opened a small secret panel in the back and took out a small box. She dusted off the top before putting it in her lap and slowly opened it. 

A single tear trickled down her cheek as she saw the necklace she had been given as a child. It was a thin chain with two hearts made out of white gold, a small sapphire stone in the center of each. She remembered her mothers voice, echoing from so many years before. 'One for you and one for the man you will come to love and may you always live in peace.' She closed her eyes for a moment before she took the second chain from the box and restrung one of the hearts. Her parents had similar necklaces but theirs had ruby stones in place of sapphires 

"Oh mother, if only you knew." She put on one of the necklaces and held the other in her hand, staring down at it. She walked over to her bed and sat down moving her hand over the soft sheets. So many nights she had dreamed of being back safe in her room, and now she was. But there was no elation, no relief or joy to fill her heart. She lay down and tried to sleep knowing she would be woken in a few short hours. 

There was a knock at Marcus' door at mid day. He woke and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, even as his own weariness clung to him. As he went to the door he noticed something sparkling on the far table near the wall. He walked over and found it to be a small silver colored necklace, a heart pendant with a sapphire shining in the center. Marcus looked around the room for any sign of forced entry and found none. 'She was here' he thought and he smiled at he fastened the necklace around his neck. 'Better keep it hidden' he thought as he tucked the chain beneath his shirt. He went to the door after smoothing out his clothes and to find Koren who was still standing outside his door.

Marcus couldn't help asking "Don't you ever sleep?" 

Koren laughed a little "Yes, when it suits me" he replied. Koren began walking down the hallway and Marcus followed close behind. Koren lead him down through the softly lit but crowded hallways, as everyone helped to clean and repair their home. Even the small children had taken to making a game out of wiping the floors. Koren stopped before a set of two large doors, easily 20 feet high. He opened them, giving a bow and motioned Marcus inside. The room was lavishly furnished with all the finery of a king's conference hall. There was a 'u' shaped table so that all the council members faced each other with the throne in the middle. Elwyn sat regal as a queen dressed in a deep red, several shades darker then her hair. On her head was a small tiara and he noticed around her neck was a necklace identical to the one he found in his room. There was something about her eyes that was different. All he could see in the place of her usually brilliant sapphire eyes was a grayness, as if a dark cloud had settled over her very soul. 

General Donovan stood up and stared at Marcus. "The council has made a decision" the man said. Marcus's eyes lit up with hope, holding his breath. "The Elven armies will aide yours, much be it to our dismay at fighting with those who have the blood of our kin on their hands." 

Marcus smiled and began to walk forward to shake Donovan's hand "You wont regret it I..." 

Donovan's raised hand palm up made him halt and all the joy fled from his eyes and was replaced with dread. "This is excusable because the soldiers were only following orders from their general. You on the other hand will pay for your crimes against our people." 

Marcus stared at Donovan as if unable to understand what was happening. "And you think that I should be blamed because I was taking orders from my king?"

"You are responsible according to our laws. The generals and the kings meeting together and discussing strategy defines that you hold much of the responsibility." 

Marcus began to get angry. "Our ways are not your ways. I had no choice in the matter if I was not to become a traitor!" His voice began to raise and he looked to Elwyn accusingly for a moment. But the sight of the pain in her face made him calm slightly. "Has nothing I've done in the past years been counted? Your peoples scouts I wounded but didn't kill, when my orders were death on sight? Finding your Princess and nursing her back to health and delivering her unharmed by my hand to your door? Was it all for nothing?" he asked. 

One of the older council members stood up and gave him a curt bow of respect and says in a tone that almost reflected regret "The law is the law General Marcus." 

Donovan smirked and walked from his seat to the doors of the chamber. "Take him to the dungeon. Place him in the lower halls. Let us give a nice cell for our guest of honor" he said with a cruel smile.

Elwyn immediately stood up and said in a firm tone "No Donovan. He will not be mistreated. It is bad enough that he came here for parlay and we are forced by the law to lock him away." She knew the part of the dungeon to which Donovan referred. It was pitch black, cold and infested with who knows what kind of creatures after years of disuse. "Place him in the cells for political prisoners on the upper level." 

Donovan looked disappointed and almost seemed as if he would argue but muttered under his breath "As the princess commands." Several soldiers came in and took Marcus' arms with Donovan moving in front and leading him away. The corridors were dark and got colder as they began to descend down the stairs to the prison block. The darkness surrounded them and Donovan took a torch from the wall and lit it holding it before them as they walked. Marcus noticed the bones of many prisoners scattered among the cells, but he walked straight with his head held high, feeling that he had nothing to be ashamed of. Donovan stopped and unlocked a cell door and gave Marcus a push in. Marcus heard the click of the lock as he turned to see Donovan with an evil grin plastered on his face.

"I only hope we are still here to witness your execution. It has been so long since we had someone of such importance" he said sarcastically. All the guards laughed, turned around and left him in his solitude.

Chapter 22

The cell was not filthy, though metal bars the size of his wrist made out of a metal stronger then any steal he had known made it clear it was an imprisonment. He looked around for a way to escape and finally seeing none he sat down on the small cot in one side of the cell. 'It could be worse he thought.' And laughed at himself. 'It could be worse but not by much. At least they agreed to fight with us and not against us.' Marcus's thoughts turned to Elwyn, sitting in her gown on her throne looking like something out of an exotic tale. He remembered the dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn't slept at all. He knew she had done all in her power to keep him from harm. But it could not have been avoided. All that mattered was that Earlar and Raygar were stopped. He lay down on the cot for lack of anything better to do and stared at the dark ceiling. 

Several long drawn out hours later he was surprised to see Koren walking down the stairs towards his cell with a plate of food. "Thought you might be hungry" Koren said and slid the tray under a low bar on the floor into the cell. Koren then sat down with his own dinner and began to eat.

"I'm not that hungry for some reason" Marcus said in a soft voice.

"You should keep your strength up. Besides Donovan would love to have you starve. So if nothing else, prove him wrong?" 

Marcus smiled a bitter smile at that and reached down and took an apple from the tray and bit into it. "I don't know about needing my strength, but anything to keep Donovan on his toes is alright with me." 

Koren could already see the despair settling into Marcus' eyes. Koren spoke in a hushed voice "It is said among my people, that hope lost is the most difficult thing to regain. But that it dwells in the most unlikely places." 

Marcus sat back down on the cot and nodded before looking up to the Elven man sitting and breaking bread with him. "Do something for me Koren?"

"As long as it is not helping you escape, name it." 

"Make sure that your shield maiden is not harmed in the battles to come." 

Koren placed his hand over his heart "It shall be so." Marcus seemed to take hope from that as he lay back down. The sun was setting and he watched it till it disappeared beyond the tiny barred window of the cell. Neither man spoke further, merely sitting in the silence of the others company, till each fell asleep.

When Marcus opened his eyes several hours later he didn't know what had woken him. He sat up slightly and he saw a cloaked figure inside his cell moving silently to where Koren sat, dozing. Before he could call out the figure held out a palm and blew a fine dust all over the guard. Before the figure could turn and realize Marcus was awake he lay back down and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. The cloaked figure came closer and he felt a soft touch of a feminine hand covering his lips. His eyes shot wide open then as he looked up into the face of his beloved. 

He got to his feet and she moved her hand and he spoke in a hushed voice "Elwyn...Elwyn what are you doing here?" he asked as he looked down into her eyes. She grabbed his hand and she placed her finger over his lips and she lead him over to the wall. She pressed her hand to a certain panel and he thought he saw a drop of blood as a secret door opened. She pulled him inside quickly and the thick invisible door shut silently behind them. She waited till the pitch blackness of the secret passage had settled around them completely before speaking. "I'm getting you out of here." 

"What did you do to Koren?" 

"A sleeping spell. It wears off at dawn. You have that much time to get as close to the borders of these lands as you can." 

He said her name in a solemn tone "Elwyn" and grabbed her arm in an iron grip. She turned to him, staring into his eyes. Still there was so little emotion there it was almost unbearable looking at her. "The council is right. I should have spoken against Earlar long before I did. And now I'm sure your story was not the only war crime that was perpetuated by my people." She narrowed her gaze slightly and he saw the beginning flares of anger in their depths. She pulled her arm from him and continued walking along the dark pathways. He sighed and followed as the silence between them grew to a painful point. 

When he could stand it no longer he asked "How did you know about these 

passages?" 

She spoke in a slightly softer voice. "Only the royal family know how to get in and out. Many of the people believe them to be mere legend. I used to play in these hallways as a child." He didn't know how long they moved through the twists and turns of the passages but she moved with ease despite there being only the barest hint of light in the most well lit passages. Finally they came to what seemed a dead end. "Go out into the forest. There will be a path in front of you. Do not follow the path. Follow the moon in the opposite direction. Do not stop no matter what happens." She put her hand on the door in the same motion as earlier the invisible door opening a crack letting a sliver of moonlight shine on her features. Her other hand reached beneath her cloak and took out his sword and his other weapons that had been confiscated. 

He looked at them and then attached them back to his person before speaking softly. "Elwyn. This is folly." He tried to draw her closer "They will know it was you who helped me escape." As he pulled her into his arms she was stiff as cold marble. 




The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 07



She whispered in a voice only slightly softer then her form felt against him. "Go. Marcus, your armies will not succeed without you." 

He looks down at her face and touched her cheek and felt her growing a more pliant in his arms. "You don't know that for a fact" he whispered. 

He began to lower his lips to hers and she pulled back. "I do know it for a fact. You must go now before its too late." 

There was pain in his eyes as she withdrew herself not only emotionally from him, but now physically as well. "I will not leave you here" he replied, his own anger rising. She pulled from him and she put her hand to the wall. A moment later the wall opened completely creating a small door. He glanced out and realized they were far from where they had been, traveling straight beneath the castle to the outer walls. 

"You have no choice!" her voice hissed in the darkness. Mirrored in each others eyes was the fire and the stubbornness of a will that refused to bend. "I will not give in to despair just because you think it's your time to die because a bunch of power hungry fools say so." She moved closer and pointed her finger at his chest "You brought me back here Marcus. You brought me back to a people who were once long dead to me." Her voice raised as much as she dared without drawing the castle guard. "It is YOU who convinced me to go on this suicide mission that will likely destroy us both in its wake. But I will not give up because it is too late for that."

Her words cut him deeply in her accusations and he even took a step back from her as she advanced. As he looked into her eyes it was a whole different woman who seemed to dwell there now. One of fire and ice and none of the warmth he had come to know. And then he did something he had never done before. He backed down, changing his own stubborn mind and silently moved towards the open door. She watched him go as he began to turn back to her. She spoke softly just loud enough for him to hear. 

"Let sweeter words wait for a sweeter time. Every moment you tarry there is more chance they will find you." There was a softened but resigned expression on his face, giving her a nod as he disappeared into the night. 

Marcus ran thru the darkness at a speedy pace but he was well aware he had a long way to go before he was safe. He followed the direction of the moon while still keeping to the shadows. He ran till the sun was high in the sky and finally lay down to rest in the hollow of an old dead tree. He remained there until the sun was setting and the shadows played heavily on the ground. It was another night and a morning before he finally came back to his camp, exhausted. But he knew there was no time to rest. 

He went to the main tent in the compound and opened the flaps. All went silent as they stared at him. 

Caspar ran up to him and they embraced. "We thought you were dead for sure" Caspar said in a hushed tone. 

Marcus nodded. "It almost was so. Elwyn forced me to escape before they could carry out their sentence." 

Caspar kept a hand on Marcus' shoulder and the men in the tent began talking quietly again. "She was right to do so. I have not the mind for strategy you have." Marcus nodded and allowed Caspar to lead him over to one of the maps. "We have your legions at your southern estates moving north towards us. Our spies have told us that Earlar has at least outnumbered our troops four to one. I take it from the fact they were going to kill you they didn't agree to fight so..." 

Marcus interrupted. "Quite the contrary. They agreed to fight." his voice was a little more solemn. "I convinced them that neither of us would win by fighting separately. But they decided I would have to stand trials for my crimes." Caspar began to voice his protest too such logic when Marcus' hand went up to stop him. Marcus sat down at the table with the maps in front of him and studied them for a moment. "The elves will join us here. No more than two thousand troops" pointing to a place between their encampment and the elves. "It will take us at least a day to assemble the combined troops in some kind of order once we get there." He then traces a line towards the north and said "Its at least a three day journey to where Earlar's forces as stationed outside the city."

"But with the dark wizard on his side he will not wait for us to come to him. We will have to leave in the morning" Caspar replied. "Or else they will catch us unprepared." 

Marcus nodded and got up from the table. "Tell everyone to pack everything but the most basic necessities tonight. We leave at dawn." 

As he walked out Caspar followed and pulled him aside speaking in hushed tones. 

"Are you sure they will join us in time Marcus?" The general looked at his second in command and life long friend but he could find no words of comfort as he walked silently out of the tent. He wasn't sure of anything anymore. It seemed as if the very world he stood on had been pulled out from under him. He walked into his tent and looked around, half expecting to see her lying there asleep. He shook the image from his mind feeling as if his heart would break in two with the prospect of being without her. He told himself it would only be a few days until she was with him, even if it was across a battlefield of imperial soldiers. She would be there. He held on to that thought as if it was a lifeline as he lay down to sleep in a proper bed for the first time in many long nights.

Chapter 23

Three days had passed since Marcus's return and they had moved westward to the planned position but there was still no sign of the Elves. His scouts had told him that Earlar's armies were practically upon them, assembled and ready for battle several miles north of their encampment. The few women that traveled with them had been told to fall back as far away from the battle as possible. The last thing Marcus wanted was more innocent blood on his hands. Seeing Earlar's army beginning to march over the horizon he mounted Morgenstern and road to the front of the camps. "Elwyn where are you?" he muttered himself. 

As if in answer to his prayers and in shock to all the scouts he had posted in the woods, the Elven army emerged from the foliage, silent as a summer breeze. But to his surprise it was General Donovan at the head of the armies and not Elwyn. The other army moved silently and took their places beside Marcus' men on the field. As he scanned the troops he was grateful to see half of the soldiers were on horseback, and those who didn't had large quivers of arrows and beautiful curved swords. They had a chance now. Perhaps not a good one as outnumbered as they were, but hope it seemed trickled through the ranks. Whispers as soldiers straightened, eyes grew fierce, lips set in a firm line of determination.

Marcus rode up to Donovan and narrowed his eyes at the man. "Where is Elwyn?" 

A wicked smile curved the other mans lips as he responded "The Princess?" he accented the words as if he detested using them, and noted how Marcus had failed to do so. "Oh yes. She grew ill quickly. An ailment of the heart it seemed." He stared into Marcus' eyes watching the rage grow in their depths. "She will not be joining us. She has appointed me to be commander in her place." 

Marcus gripped the reigns of his beloved horse tight so he didn't go for his sword. He stared at the other man with hatred pouring from every pore of his skin. "So help me if you've harmed her..."

"What does she matter to you, Butcher? Another Elf to rape and pillage because none of your own would have you?" Marcus unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Donovan to the delight of the elf general who realized that all had turned to watch the spectacle. Suddenly he felt a hand touch his shoulder as Garenth rode up beside him. Marcus looked into his comrades eyes for a moment before lowering his weapon and turned to Donovan. 

"When this is over Donovan, if you live to see the dawn, we will settle this." With that Marcus reigned his horse and rode back in front of his own troops with Garenth close behind. He took the center, Caspar took the right, and Garenth took the left of the human forces and Donovan stood poised in front of the entire Elven army when King Earlar's troops rode up. Marcus couldn't help looking to the east, trying to stop the fear from filling her heart of what had happened to the woman he loved. He moved his hand over the necklace tucked underneath his shirt and thought a silent prayer that she was safe, and he would return to her. 

The King and two other men on horseback rode towards the center of the field, and the four leaders of the opposing army went out to meet them for a parley. Marcus looked into the eyes of the King, and his former comrades Heiljuk and Conrad and saw nothing but darkness in their depths. 

It was Conrad who finally spoke but did not even acknowledge the presence of General Donovan. "Surrender your armies and your lands and swift justice will be granted in return for atonement." 

Marcus new this to be a polite way of saying we'll kill you quickly if you surrender, or very slow and painful if taken alive. He grimaced. The king had never stooped to such threats before. Raygar had to be behind it. "There will be justice..." and Marcus turned his horse around, leading the generals back to their armies. Just as they reached the front line, Earlar's forces began to march forward, but Earlar stayed behind with the archers, leaving his two generals to lead his troops. 

Marcus held up his hand, signaling to his men to hold their positions. Donovan drew his sword and cut an arch in the sky above him and all at once a shower of arrows rained down on the opposition. A second wave of arrows flew with deadly accuracy from the Elven bows before Marcus' troops began to advance. 

The sounds of battle filled Marcus' ears as the green field grew red with blood. The ground cared not if it was elf or human blood but accepted it all the same. Marcus fought his way through the crowds, Morgenstern staying true through the horrors that surrounded him. A hundred men and elves broke through the line of enemy soldiers and rode hard towards the king when a second wave of skilled soldiers greeted their swords. 

As he fought Marcus saw something strange. Men whom he knew to be skilled warriors were falling from superficial wounds. He pulled back the reigns of Morgenstern and knelt beside one soldier, checking a pulse. From what he could tell there was only one cut on his body, a slice down the length of his arm. Upon close examination of the wound, it did not look like the red color of torn flesh, but black and tarnished as if black ink had crawled into the wounds and through the mans veins. He swore under his breath and got back on Morgenstern. He called back to his comrades "Their blades are poisoned!" He looked back over the battle. Thirty thousand men locked in combat. He turned towards the King and hate grew in his heart but to his shock and surprise, where he had seen the king retreat there was now an empty patch of ground. He had to get through and find out what happened. 

He fought through one, two, ten and then suddenly was face to face in a man in blood red leather armor. He watched as the man killed several of his troops in a matter of moments before the figure turned slowly and looked straight at Marcus. A cruel grin crossed the familiar face of the Chancellor. Marcus held up his sword and charged at him, letting all the rage within him fuel his motions. Ragar met his sword with ease and said. 

"Ah if it isn't the poor love sick general." Blades retreated and collided again. "How fares your sweet elf Queen?" Ragar stared at Marcus, pushing his blade against his until Marcus stumbled and was forced to take several steps back. Marcus' anger grew fierce and he lunged at Raygar, but the man parried each thrust with expert swordsmanship. All other fighting seemed to move back from the two men locked in combat, leaving a wide berth of movement, and Marcus wondered if it was some devilry on the part of Raygar. 

For some time the two swordsmen were equally matched in skill and strength. Time seemed to stand still inside the eerily perfect circle of open ground that had formed around them. Slowly both men began to grow weary, sweat gleaming off their skin but still Ragar continued to heckle Marcus with every blow and parry from his sword. "I did not see your lady on the field. Quite cowardly not coming to battle to at least witness all her people destroyed." The thrusts of Marcus' blade became more deadly with his caged fury and Ragar began showing signs of weakening. 

Marcus advanced and spoke in tone that was filled with the blood lust the battle had instilled. "It is you who are the coward Ragar! Poisoning the King against his own near kin." With that Marcus' blade connected with the side of Ragar's armor hard enough to destroy part of the leather covering the mans arm. 

Ragar stumbled back and looked at his ruined armor and spoke in a low barely audible voice. "I have had enough with you Marcus." The mans hand thrust towards Marcus even as the general charged towards him, intent on the kill. Muttered words went unheard, drowned out by the battle noise. Just as Marcus drew his blade towards the mans head a burst of energy exploded from Raygar's extended hand, sending Marcus flying back and leveling all the soldiers who were close to them with the aftershocks. 

Marcus felt a blinding pain through his body, having taken the brunt of the force of the spell. As he stood back up he moved his hand to his chest, knowing several of his ribs were broken. 

"Still not had enough Marcus? Then by all means..." Marcus held his sword close, getting to his feet and walked back towards his adversary. Marcus raised his sword and Raygar blocked easily. "You are no match for me Marcus. But do not feel bad neither was the King." Marcus looked at him, dumbstruck for a moment, as he processed his words. Marcus suddenly realized it had been his plan all along. 

"You wont get away with this. They will never make you King." 

Raygar thrust towards Marcus and said with ease. "Oh they will. After I tell them that the king died at your hands." Another thrust, hitting Marcus around his waist, cutting through his armor and drawing blood. "And your head mounted on a pole." Marcus continued to fight, both men locked in combat with a renewed vigor. As they fought on it seemed that Raygar only grew stronger, while Marcus tired, more blood trickling from his form as his reflexes slowed and his armor deteriorated. "You are no match for me Marcus." 

"Maybe I'll Surprise you" Marcus parried and knocked Raygar's sword out of the way. Before he could fix his error Marcus sliced his sword as hard as he could across the weak point of Raygar's armor at the shoulder. He felt his blade dig deep into the mans shoulder, an a howl of pain escaping the other mans lips. Marcus staggered back, staring at the bleeding man as Raygar's arm hanging limp at his side. Raygar cursed and muttered under his breath and threw something in Marcus' direction. A small pouch of powder his him square in the chest, bursting open and showering him with a fine red dust. The air became too thick to breathe and his hand went to his throat, falling to his knees. Raygar moved forward standing in front of Marcus, wanting to watch him draw his last breath as he suffocated from the ancient spell. 

Marcus barely saw Ragar turn around in shock as a soldier ran up behind him, and almost didn't react in time to meet the sword that had aimed to take his head from his shoulders. 

"How did you get past the barrier" Ragar said in awe. As all watched, what had become an instinctual urge to stay away from the men fighting revealed itself as a black circle surrounding the three and there was a shimmer of luminescence in the air around the figures. As the soldier took a step back Marcus gasped for breath, air slowly beginning to return to his lungs as the concentration of his adversary turned away and the spell began to fade. Ragar pointed his sword towards the soldier and said "Answer me!" The soldier in silence held up a sword, it gleamed in the dim light, the handle set with sapphires and rubies. A hushed voice echoed from beneath the helmet in an almost forgotten language and runes on the length of a blade began to glow with an inner light. His eyes suddenly jerked from the blade to the ground when the helmet fell with a thud. His eyes traveled up the soldiers armor and his mouth dropped open. He saw a long auburn braid draped over a strong shoulder, a scratch across the side of the cheek, a drop of blood marring the pale flesh and the fiery blue eyes of Elwyn.

Chapter 24

"No...Its not possible...you were supposed to be taken care of..." he staggered. 

Elwyn's eyes narrowed, never once leaving the gaze of the cruel man in front of her. She struck towards him with her blade, putting all the force she could muster behind it, making him fall to the ground to avoid being hit. 

She approached and looked down at him. "So it was you all along...how long have you been planning this Raygar? Five...ten years?" Raygar tried to get to his feet but just as he did she thrust her sword forcing him to meet it with his own, but the force of the blow made him fall back to the ground. The exertion caused blood to flow down his armor from the deep wound on his arm and his breathing came more quickly. 

Raygar spat blood at her feet and muttered. "You were supposed to be dead long ago Elf Queen. It was all laid out pretty as a picture until the Butchers men got greedy." Her eyes widened and she took a step back. She realized that the treachery went as deep as Donovan lusting for power, but she had no idea that the plans had been laid long before at the initial battle for her city. She glanced towards Marcus for the briefest of moments, her eyes registering his unconscious form. She then returned her gaze to Raygar and there was a fire in her sapphire eyes that would strike fear into the heart of any man. 

"Get up and fight me, or run like the coward you are." She stepped back allowing Raygar to get to his feet. But she gave him no more grace than that before she began to attack with all the strength she could muster. Her anger in truth coming out through her sword as metal clashed against metal countless times. She brought her sword down towards Raygar's sword arm she just had enough time to register his left hand moving towards her, mumbled words under his breath. She dove out of the way, hitting the ground with a thud, her sword sliding away from her grip as the ball of deadly force flew from Raygar's hand over her head. She swore under her breath and turned onto her back, edging back towards where the sword of kings that had protected the monarchy from the beginning of time and lay just beyond her reach. 

He loomed over her and muttered "I should have killed you myself." Just as she lunged towards her sword, she felt the cold metal of Raygar's blade thrust through her thigh as it slipped through the weak point of her armor, a blow meant for her heart had she not moved in time. She managed not to scream as the pain rushed through her body, but could immediately tell he had narrowly missed severing the main artery in her leg. She felt the blade leave her flesh, spilling her blood over her leg. Raygar grinned and watched her pant for breath, unmoving on the ground and he stepped closer. His legs were on either side of hers, his sword held in both hands, the point hovering above her chest. She let her head back and he smirked.

"I never thought you would be so easy to kill." He lunged forward, just as her fingers closed around her sword, knocking his out of the way and replacing it with her own. Time seemed to slow down as she kicked his feet out from under him, making him loose his balance further and fall onto her sword. There was a scream, as the man laying over her shuddered and finally went still, the sword of kings thrust through his armor into his heart. An explosion of energy leveled the fighting, destroying the invisible barrier that had kept all others out. 




The Shieldmaidens Lover Pt. 07



Elwyn pushed the lifeless body off her own, staring up at a startling blue sky. She gazed at it until she felt two hands on her shoulders shaking her. She blinked and looked up into the face of Garenth. She shuddered and she pushed him away, getting to her feet. She limped badly from the wound that still bled heavily on her leg but was too stubborn to let it slow her down. Elwyn moved over to where Marcus lay and she pressed her fingers to his throat, and was relieved when she felt a pulse. She began to lift Marcus onto her shoulder when that same strong hand stopped her. She glared at Garenth but the silent man stood firm and picked up the fallen general and gently put him over his shoulder. 

As she walked she realized that the battle was nearly over, the last burst of energy from their fallen leader having scared off many of the kings soldiers left fighting and dispelling any last magic that had controlled them. How long they had been locked in combat was beyond her, fading into a haze of the pain that coursed through her body. None hindered them as they retreated to the tent of healing. Several of the Elves stood gawking at her as she continued to stagger on, and a few even offered an arm which she roughly pushed away. There was anger and pain in her face, reflecting the new knowledge of treachery finally avenged. She only half realized it when they reached their destination. She followed Garenth into one of the smaller private rooms set up and watched as he lay Marcus's unconscious form on the cot. One of the healers came in and began to tend his wounds and Elwyn sat down on a chair opposite his bed. 

Another woman came in and began to reach for Elwyn's armor, trying to tend to the still bleeding wound on her thigh. But Elwyn pushed her away. She barely heard the woman's soft words trying to convince her that the wound was serious and needed tending. Garenth seeing her protests left the tent as silently as he came. 

After the third time the woman pestered her, Elwyn turned to her and said in a harsh tone, "Leave me." The woman startled by the anger and power in Elwyn's voice, backed up and left the room. Elwyn's eyes never closed, gazing at the face of the unconscious Marcus. The woman had stripped him of everything but the cloth around his waist and was bandaging his chest.

It was not long until Bronwyn came into the room with another of the healers. The young girl by her side reached towards Elwyn but her hand moved up and blocked the girl, just as she had the other without taking her eyes from Marcus. Bronwyn only shook her head and motioned for the girl to leave. Bronwyn knelt beside Elwyn and whispered 

"My Lady, please...you will bleed to death." Bronwyn could tell from the look in her eyes that Elwyn didn't really care at the moment. But none the less Bronwyn reached for Elwyn's armor and surprisingly, Elwyn did not stop her. Her armor removed left her in a chain mail shirt and light soft leather pants, allowing for protection and easy movement. She only barely felt Bronwyn cut away her pant leg, revealing the deep gash high on her leg. Her eyes drifted closed but she made no sound as Bronwyn cleaned the wound and put a pressure bandage on it to stop the bleeding. Elwyn looked up as she saw the woman kneeling by Marcus get up and leave the tent when there was no more she could do to aid him. Bronwyn cleaned the cut along the side of Elwyn's cheek and some salve to make sure it didn't scar to badly. After being satisfied she had no other serious wounds, Bronwyn got up and put a gentle hand on Elwyn's shoulder before leaving as silently as she came. Elwyn moved her chair beside the bed where Marcus lay, his eyes close and his face pale. Her eyes drooped but never closed completely, focused on his face as the lights were lit and the sun fell below the horizon.

Chapter 25 

It was hours later before any dared to disturb them. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the flap of the tent open and a ragged wounded but still lively Caspar came into the room. 

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her and whispered "My Lady?" more of a question, wondering if he was seeing things. He walked up and knelt by her side and took her hand in his. She jumped as if he had woken her from sleep and turned to look at him. He moved his hand to the side of her cheek, his thumb brushing just beneath the cut across her cheekbone and he whispered "Elwyn come back...he will live..." She didn't know what he meant at first, her eyes turning back to Marcus. But she slowly began to relax, and breathe more normally. She blinked several times and it seemed as if the world came into better focus, almost as if she had fallen into some kind of trance from the shock of battle and she shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Caspar stood and pulled a chair up beside hers, taking up her vigil at the generals bedside. He too now turned his gaze to Marcus. They had done all they could for him. Several of his ribs were broken, and the wound across his stomach looked all the more serious, the healers fearing the poison that many of the soldiers now ailed from. 

"What happened to you Elwyn? Why weren't you at the head of your armies?" Her eyes closed and she sighed softly. 

Her hand laced into Marcus' limp hand, holding it tight. "They set me up Caspar. I fell right into their hands." She shook her head, her face falling downwards, eyes unseeing. "They locked me in the tower, telling me that I had gone mad in my time in the human world." She lifted her head to gaze at Marcus "Donovan got too cocky with the lust for power that drove him to betray me. He forgot I played in those halls as a child. There is a system of hidden tunnels through out the castle. I managed to escape...barely." 

Caspar was about to ask something when the tent flap opened and Koren rushed in, bowing before rushing to her side and kneeling. "Forgive me Princess," His head bowed "They told me before the battle you had ordered none to seek you out. But when I didn't see you on the field I knew there was something wrong." Elwyn put a soft hand on his shoulder and he raised his face. "Elwyn, General Donovan is gone. He is not among the dead or wounded." 

She laughed softly. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me. He sold his soul and my safety to the hands of my enemy. And I prevailed. He would be a fool to stay." Both Caspar and Koren looked at her in shock. "Raygar had this planned fourteen years ago when he bribed Marcus' soldiers to kill me. Unfortunately for him their greed got the better of them. My return put a rather large thorn in his side." She got up and began pacing, limping but too stubborn to care. "Raygar bought Donovan's loyalty, convincing him to lead the remaining army into battle to reduce the elves to a non threatening level. She stopped walking, leaning one hand against the tent pole, her anger and the effort of pacing making her breath short.

Koren held his hand out to Elwyn and in her first sign of weakness she took his hand letting him lead her back to the chair. She sat and put her head in her hands. "King Earlar I would guess is dead and cold by now. Raygar planned to kill Marcus and the King and take over the lordship of the land, and propose peace by making Donovan his new chancellor." She wove her fingers together in front of her, resting her lips against her hands as she stared at Marcus.

There were several moments of silence before Caspar asked in a curious tone "Raygar admitted such treachery?" She nodded slightly.

"He boasted about some of it, expecting to leave both of us dead in his wake. But it wasn't hard to put two and two together. We might yet find evidence if Donnovan was fool enough not to burn all the letters of correspondence between him and Raygar." She let her head tilt back and her eyes closed and it seemed as if the remaining color had washed from her cheeks. Koren reached one hand towards her and put it on her shoulder. He could feel her labored breathing, but before he could call for one of the healers Bronwyn came into the tent. Elwyn opened her eyes hearing the tent flap shuffle and moved her vigil back to Marcus. Bronwyn handed her the cup of tea she had been holding, and Elwyn slowly began to drink it, knowing she was probably feeling the effects of the poison from Raygar's blade. Bronwyn unwrapped the wound on Elwyn's leg that she hadn't realized had begun to bleed heavily again. Bronwyn rewrapped it, tying a piece of cloth tight above the wound. She turned to Marcus but there was no change so Bronwyn slipped out as silently. 

In the next several hours Koren and Caspar tried to convince Elwyn to give up her vigil by Marcus' side, promising to come and get her if any change happened. But she had returned to the silent state in which they had found her. Her eyes were glazed over, locked on Marcus' face , her body rigid and unmoving, as if the stillness of death had already taken over. 

The two men had fallen asleep in their chairs as the night drew on. The sun began to slowly rise, a red dawn of a new day, giving the battlefield an eerie feeling as if the sun itself was wounded, its blood flowing like a river over the living and dead. Her head snapped to attention suddenly and she moved from her chair to sit on the cot beside Marcus. She thought she had heard him move. She put her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat the slightly slow even beats thudding against her palm. He shifted again. This time she was sure of it. 

"Marcus?" she called softly. "Marcus open your eyes." She moved her hand to the side of his face caressing softly. 

His lips parted slightly and whispered in a voice so soft even she with her exceptional hearing had to strain. "Am I dead?" His eyes slowly opened, and she saw him struggling to focus. 

She couldn't help smiling a bitter sweet smile. "No Marcus. You aren't dead" She brushed his hair out of his face and forced a smile. 

He looked up at her and she saw the recognition flow over his features. "Elwyn...how did you..." 

But she cut his words off with a finger to his lips. "It doesn't matter. I'm here now." His hand moved to hers on his cheek and he laced his fingers with hers, and she felt as if her heart would break. His eyes drifted closed again, as if he didn't have the strength to keep them open.

"Raygar?" he muttered.

"He's dead Marcus. He cant hurt us anymore." 

"The battle, who won?" 

She could see him getting agitated and she took his hand and held it over her heart. "Rest now Marcus. Please." She stroked his arm and felt him slowly begin to relax and she whispered, "Rest your heart. Leave your troubles till the morrow." She leaned close and she pressed her lips to his in a chaste kiss and pushed from her mind the thoughts of all that still stood before them. Her lips parted against his deepening the kiss, trying to forget the tension that had not eased between her people and his. Her hands moved softly over his chest and his wrapped around her waist, not thinking on the knowledge that Donovan had escaped, ready to hatch new plans for power. She moaned softly against his lips, a wordless prayer that rose towards the heavens that they would both survive the grievous wounds they had both been dealt. 

She pulled her lips from him breathlessly, reveling in the steady beat of his heart beneath her hand and for the first time she allowed herself to rest. Elwyn lay down on the bed beside Marcus letting one arm rest carefully across his chest. She felt his arm tighten around her, and she put a soft kiss on his shoulder, whispering his name softly. Neither realized when Caspar and Koren left the room. The red sun shone in through the door of the tent, the twin sapphire stones around the lovers necks ablaze with the blood amber glow of the new day. 

Fin