The Tale of the Ugly Troll (cont. Part III)

[TheMuse]

(OOC: forgive me: this one is kinda long. CD after this post you’re in charge of the bandit’s combat stuff, except for the ones with Jena. Leave that to me (at first).

Jena 36/36

“James!” Jena’s face brightened the moment she recognized her older brother. He looked a little different than she recalled: darker, somehow: his brown curly locks were a tangled, greasy heap of unruly knots on top of his flaky scalp, and splotches of brownish mud, blood, and miscellaneous other fluids stained the front of his tattered leather armor. A red glimmer of malice lingered in his eyes, but for what reason Jena was unsure. The beam on James’ lips appeared to be phony as he ran toward his younger sister.

“Jena!” James exclaimed. Save for the hint of insanity, and the unruly appearance, the young human male physically bore a striking resemblance to Jena. James raised a hand indicating for his men to stop. Grinning, James embraced his sister. “My dearest sister, Jena, it has been so, so long….”

“What are you doing here, dear brother? How did you get here?”

“Why, my dear sister, I’ve come for you, of course.”
James’ features grew unexpectedly callous, and an unspeakable cruelty dwelled in his shadowy, terrible orbs.

One of the men standing beside James shot something in Galein’s direction. The dart whizzed as it shot directly at Galein’s neck. Though the successful attack would stun him, Galein would still be completely aware of his surroundings and the following events that would take place.

Jena gasped as intense cold steel pressed firmly against her throat. The sharp, pointed blade barely managed to pierce her tender, soft, delicate skin, causing a slight trickle of blood to fall from her throat down the front of her chest.
“What are you doing, James?”
It hurt.
Badly.
“Shut up, girl!! I’ll be the only one asking questions from now on around here!”
A cold, careless, dark light seemed to settle in James’ eyes.
“Now, Jena, hand it over to me, please. Keep in mind that I’ll only ask nice once.”
Jena noticed, to her horror, that James had his eye on her glowing amulet. Faironi had given it back to her in the cave, and though Jena had impulsively thrown it with force against the hard wall, strangely enough it remained in perfect condition with not a scratch on it.
“Never!”
“Very well: men!”

With a slashing of knives, Jena’s cloak fell to the ground, and the top of her tunic hung loosely over the curves of her waist, exposing parts of her she had kept secret for her entire lifetime. Struggling to regain her modesty, two burly men ran to her, clenched her arms in their rough hands, and held her firmly in place. The amulet around her neck glowed, but it was a glow that Jena was unfamiliar with; it revealed her sense of fear, helplessness, and surprise. The light was shadowy, bitter, and completely opposite from the loving warmness she had experienced with Aeriah.

James viciously retrieved the amulet from around Jena’s neck as the two men apprehended her forcefully. Squirming, Jena did not make it an easy task for James. Impatient and full of rage, he abruptly extended his large hand and slapped Jena across the side of her face.

“Disobedient wench! You never did listen well.” Tears formed in the corners of Jena’s sad, blue eyes. Grinning evilly with a sick satisfaction, James placed the amulet around his own neck. Hideous laugher echoed throughout the mountainside. Jena noticed the amulet glow grayish…and she could feel the icy tingle emitting from it. Sadly, she glanced helplessly over at Galein.

Noticing her glance, James turned toward the male elf.

“Ahh…what have we here? A tree-hugger friend…maybe…even more than a friend?”

James eyeballed Galein jealously. “Doesn’t surprise me, really, Jena, considering what YOU are.” The detestation in James’ tone could not be mistaken.

With a confused expression, Jena glanced with sad, questioning eyes at the brother she no longer knew.

“Ahh…that’s right….our dearest MOTHER never told you…did she….?” Laughing again, James turned and spat a wad of dark mucus at Jena’s feet as he spoke the title with disdain of the woman who bore him.

“A slut, she was…she never really loved my father, you see…..she was always running away with that….that enchanter” James spat again, a growing rage causing him to clench his fists. “And you, my darling, are the product of that disgusting affair. You’re an insult to all that I am and stand for, and a disgrace!”

Had not James’ men been holding Jena firmly in place, she would have collapsed into a pile right then on the hard, rocky ground. Tears began to leak from Jena’s eyes….her father…was not her mother’s husband? “So, my dearest Jena, I had to get rid of them both. You obviously know why I killed our adulterous mother….but I had to kill my father as well…for the simple fact that he forgave her…he LOVED her…even though she denied HIS love…and by him doing that…he may as well have slept around himself…”

James spat again at the mention of their parents. “So, Jena, you are just as bad as the rest of them…and that is what we are here to do….exterminate the pests, get rid of the scum, before they control the world. You can say, in a way, that I am protecting the very human existence.” Jena stood there, startled; her mouth open wide in horror. For several seconds she could not breathe. After several gasps for air, Jena’s eyes welled with tears. For a brief instant her swollen sapphire orbs met James’, and smiling sadly she somehow managed to seem at peace, even if only for a second. She spoke, and though softly, the words were quite distinguishable to everyone who witnessed the event. “James, I love you….I have always loved you…and….I” A hint of forgiveness could be detected in Jena’s soft loving eyes. For the brief instant that her eyes met his, the light in James’ changed. He fought the emotion inside him that he deeply struggled with: he fought it hard, and then the moment was lost and he intentionally removed his gaze from his sisters, and he could no longer look Jena in the eye. Her admission, her forgiveness, had made him weak. He had expected her to lash out, as was normally the case with others, but she forgave him. How could he respond to this unusual reaction?

James turned and faced the two burly men holding Jena. “Take her away.” One of the husky men clenched his grip around Jena’s thrashing arms and a cruel, abusive smile portrayed on his disgusting face. Crying, screaming, and struggling, tears flowed from Jena’s eyes as she was helplessly dragged away from the group “Galein!!!!!!”

Three men remained, including James, and he turned toward them and beckoned. “Any friends of tree-huggers are enemies of mine. Kill everyone beginning with the elves and anything with pointy ears: but save the green-eyed one for me. He’s mine.” A snarl formed on the corner of his mouth as he withdrew his blade and ran toward Galein.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

OOC: this is pre-planned and the rest of you aren't within earshot, or eyesight of any of this. Please stay out of it, ty ^^.

Galein closed his eyes, and deep within himself, felt a stirring. It was not meant to end like this, it was not supposed to be like this... a righteous fury arose within him, and for once, his entire being was in harmony, Aeriah's self in perfect phase with his, and opening his eyes, he saw the blade descend... and strike him...

...Upon his upraised wrist. Somehow, Galein had blocked the blow, and reacting more swiftly then James could imagine, the elf kicked him with the flat of his foot in the stomach and sent him reeling backwards. Even as James uttered the word "Impossible..."

Galein struck again, this time trying to wrest the blade from James' hand, and the human tripped, staggered and fell to the ground, his own blade nicking his other hand as he tried to steady himself. Under him, there was the dull crunch of glass breaking upon the ground, and a dull green liquid flowed out. James' eyes went wide as his lips formed the word "Noooo!" but no sound emerged. A moment later, his eyes rolled up as his body started to twitch, agony taking him. Galein didn't spare a moment but turned to face the others... Two of them drew their blades and started towards him, and then they saw James. All exchanged a look, one knocked Jena to one side with the ball of his fist and as one, they started running...

"Jena! Are you all right?" Was all Galein could say as he rushed to her fallen side, caring naught for anything else...

[TheMuse]

Jena felt the wind being knocked out of her, and as she fell she was barely able to catch herself from crashing down to the ground. She cried out, and it was uncertain if the cries were from the physical or emotional abuse, but the intense pain in her skull caused her to rub the side of her head where a droplet of blood lingered.

She failed to hear Galein ask if she was all right: the events caused her to become confused and disoriented.

"My amulet...w...where is it...I''I'm so sorry..." Jena crawled toward her brother's body and through a mixture of tears and sweat she tilted his limp head to the side in an effort to retrieve her amulet. A small slip of paper had fallen out of James' pocket and was on the ground. Her emotions were overwhelming and Jena was obvlious to this.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Galein frowned, and still unsteady on his feet, staggered back over to Jena, and her fallen brother, and as Jena took back her amulet, the elf searched the contents of James' corpse, being careful to avoid the posions still in his bloodstream and crushed upon the ground.

[TheMuse]

Galein discovers the crumpled, torn note. Silently, he reads it to himself.

My Dearest Ancallin,

I entrusted this letter to James so that it may be delivered safely to you. I believe he knows and understands the situation, and I can trust nobody else. It has been five moons since we last saw each other. I barely manage to make it every day. I cannot stop thinking about you, no matter how hard I try. I haven’t told Jena any of this yet. I am afraid of breaking her fragile, loving heart. So is so much like you in so many ways. She needs to know the truth about her father. I cry as I write this: I sob because I know deep down that we cannot be together. From the moment I saw you I knew the love I felt inside was genuine. I trust you to keep our special promise safe. That amulet…is a reminder of what we had, and still have in our hearts, and when the time comes I would like it to be given to Jena. It has the power…to show one’s true feelings…and more than that…one’s soul mate. In the wrong hands, however, evil could dominate the world and rid it of love, honor, passion, and everything good. But, you already know this, so I am sure it is safe with you. I’ll have a heart to heart talk with our daughter tonight, and tomorrow morning I’ll bid her farewell. She must leave for your village tonight…it’s getting too dangerous for her to stay here. I’m sure she’ll understand. Please take very good care of our precious little miracle. Perhaps we shall be together again one day.

“Elen sila lumenn omentilmo”, as you always said to me.

(Elven for: A star shall shine on the hour of our meeting, as Galein is able to distinguish)

Amin mela lle, (and…I love you)

- Miram (signed)

[ 02-21-2005, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: TheMuse ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Jena...? You should read this." Was all Galein could manage, his face more then a little pale. Sinking down to his knees, he just stared into space, wondering what tricks fate was playing...

[TheMuse]

Jena sniffled and rubbed her tear soaked eyes and mouth with the back of her right hand. She was beginning to calm down, and for the first time since the arrival of her brother Galein’s words actually sank in. She turned and faced him, her misty, glassy orbs examining the expressions on his pale face. She slunk down next to him, and peered over her shoulder. Silently she read the letter to herself, and where the old tears had been fresh ones were beginning to form. “Mom…” she exclaimed as she finished reading the words. The feelings inside her were bittersweet: she longed for her mother’s loving embrace and soft words. At the same time, she longed to be back in the elven village, with Ancallin…her….father? He had never explained it to her, not in all those years or caring for her….why? Her head ached and pressed her hands against her temples. The room…was beginning to spin. These emotions, too many for a single incident in a single day, caused her to pass out.

[ 02-21-2005, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: TheMuse ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Its impossible..." Galein whispered, "No such union has ever... it cannot... " The letter's contents had deeply shaken the elf, so much so that he seemed unaware of everything, "...it... no..."

[TheMuse]

Jena, equally as shocked as Galein, hugged her knees to her chest "Apparently....it has, and it does...." She felt, for the first time in her life, as an outcast: a race of it's own with no real place in the world. The thought left her feeling empty and hopeless.

[ 02-21-2005, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: TheMuse ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Anger suddenly streaked through Galein and he grabbed Jena by the shoulders and shook her, as though, sensing her thoughts, he answered "You little idiot; I'm not going to abandon you now! Aeriah still loves you and so do I!" Without realising what he had said, the elf shook her further, "You think so less of us that we would abandon you to the world after all we've been through? What you are doesn't matter! Who you are does!"