A Bond of Light and Dark

"Suit yourself. Just thought I would offer." Aenwyn couldn't help but smirk in amusement, though. "Take care, captain." The elven woman then took her leave, pleased that her efforts to get into the castle were a success. Now she just needed to continue to get them to trust her so that she could keep an eye on things for her king. She had to admit, though, that Delia was quite interesting.

Thalion was sitting in class, his gaze lowered to the surface of the desk he sat at. It had taken him a long time to be able to go out without holding onto a stuffed animal for comfort. He still wasn't fond of being around people he didn't know very well. He looked up as the teacher focused on him and he paled a little, not wanting to go up and present his paper.

"I-I didn't finish it," He said, clearly lying even though it was obvious that he had his paper right in front of him. He glanced over at his sister, Belle, knowing that she wanted to go. Why was the teacher purposely ignoring her?

The teacher frowned slightly at Thalion and sighed. "We'll talk after class." She sighed before looking for other classmates to present. Belle was frowning now as a few girls snickered at Belle in a corner. Aisling couldn't hear but she could read lips and shot a glare at the girls to make them stop. Belle smiled at her protective triplet and gestured 'thank you' at her which Aisling nodded back. 

"Well, i suppose its now...Bellethiel's turn. Come on up dear..." The teacher said warily as Belle giggled and popped up from her seat and bounced over to present. As Bellethiel went on to present everyone's jaw opened including the teacher. Little did they know Belle was going to talk about Taeral. While the report was nice, the students were extremely uncomfortable that Belle was praising a mad man. Aisling looked to Thalion nervously and even covered her face in embarrassment, glad for once that she was deaf. 

Once Belle was done she looked up from her paper with a smile and expected an applause but it was just silence. "Well, Bellethiel...that is a...an interesting paper dear. I'll take it." The teacher tried to act it was normal until a male student spoke. "Interesting? It was offensive! Taeral is a mad king! How can you stand there and say he is a good person?!" He growled as Belle frowned yet froze. "Maybe because SHE is mad too! Belle the Mad Princess!" One girl snickered. "I'm not mad...i just wanted to talk about the good things of my grandfather." Belle felt tears fall. "See?! She is mad! Cant say im surprised. Bother her grandfathers are mad and she's too strong. She'll be the mad queen one day! Mad queen! Mad queen! Mad queen!" They continously chanted as the teacher tried to get them to stop. "Stop...stop...STOP!" Belle screamed as light shot out from her eyes and blinded everyone as they scattered out the room screaming. Aisling gasped as she watched Belle's eyes ablaze and her throwing things and burning objects in anger. She ran out with Thalion and the rest of class. Belle screamed and cried as she wouldn't stop losing control.

Thalion sighed in relief that he wouldn't have to get up in front of everyone and present his paper. He had lied about not finishing it. In fact, he had finished it early. His hero was none other than his father who had helped stop the long war between humans and elves. As much as he wanted to share with the class about how amazing his father was, he was too afraid to stand there and have everyone's eyes on him.

He then focused on Belle as she was finally called to the front to present her paper. He was quite surprised when she started talking about their grandfather, Taeral. He had expected her hero to be the same as his. He glanced around the room and noticed that everyone was either looking at her as if she were crazy or were just too uncomfortable. Even the teacher looked distressed.

He frowned and glanced at Aisling, knowing that she would be able to read the mood of the room as well. He was worried about his sister and paled as she finished and everyone started making fun of her. If he had more courage, he would have stood up for his sister, but all he could do was hang his head in shame and hope that the teacher could make them stop.

It was only when Belle started to react negatively that his head shot up and he stood up from his seat and ran out of the classroom with Aisling, too afraid to even spare his other sister a look.

Meanwhile, Ailuin was attending court while his children were in school. Elayne sat by his side, keeping him company and doing her duties as queen. As Ailuin was listening to a commoner, the doors to the throne room burst in, startling everyone in the room as a panicked guard ran up to the king and queen.

"Sorry to interrupt, but it's a disaster! She's gone wild!" Ailuin frowned, not quite sure who he was talking about. "Just calm down. Who has gone wild?" He asked, being patient with the frazzled man. "The princess Belle! The children were picking on her after she had presented a report on King Taeral. She reacted negatively and her powers are going wild as we speak." Ailuin's eyes widened and he glanced at Elayne in alarm.

"Cancel court. I need to get to my daughter." He stood up, grabbing Elayne's hand and tugged her along as they ran to find their daughter. "This is terrible, Elayne. We need to find her before she hurts someone."

Belle was torching the room ablaze in anger as she shrieked in fury. Her magic was overpowering her emotions and if people wanted her mad, she would show them madness. She set ablaze the pictures on the walls and art projects students made. She then dropped to her knees and cried while still brightly gleaming and fire surrounding her. 

Elayne was sitting beside Ailuin as they heard and addressed many of their people's Elayne pretended to be his loving wife, holding his arm and kissing his cheek occasionally. Sometimes she would compliment his judgement and hold hands. It was oddly becoming easier to do because part of her wasnt pretending anymore and their hostility was long gone now. Once the guard came in and explained, Elayne's eyes grew wide in horror. "My baby!" She yelped and got up before Ailuin could speak. Elayne hurried with Ailuin to the classroom in the royal school quarters. She could hear Belle crying but most importantly she saw the students cowered in fear outside. "Guards! Escort the children out and to their families. Aisling, Thalion please go back to out quarters with a guards." Elayne spoke as the guards helped the chilrden out while another helped Aisling and Thalion out as well 

Bellethiel still cried and screamed as Elayne tried to look for a way in but so much bright and white fire made it impossible to see. "Belle?! Sweetheart?! Father and I are here! Can you hear us?!" Elayne tried to step through but she pulled back with a scream when her skirts caught on fire.

Thalion was so frightened that he didn't know what to do. He wanted to comfort his sister but with reacting wildly with her powers, he knew that he would get hurt. Tears pricked his eyes and he held onto Aisling, wishing that their parents would come and save them. It seemed like his prayers were answered as he looked up and saw his parents quickly approaching.

He immediately let go of Aisling and ran over to his father, hugging onto him and burying his face against him. Ailuin frowned and gently patted Thalion's head. As Elayne took charge, he nodded to Thalion. "Listen to your mother and take Aisling to your quarters. Leave your sister to us." Thalion nodded and wiped his tears before letting go and allowed himself to be escorted with his younger sister.

Ailuin then moved towards Elayne, trying to figure out how they were going to get to their daughter. He used magic to put out the flames on her skirts and tried to get Belle's attention. "Belle, you are safe now. The kids are gone and your mother and I are here. Please calm down before you hurt yourself and let us talk about this."

He attempted to put the flames out with his own magic, but unfortunately his daughter's magic was too strong to counter. "Belle, please. Sweetheart, I cannot get to you if you do not make the fire go away."

Belle just continued vto wail as the fire begun to spread madly. "Belle please! You're going to hurt someone!" Elayne tried to reason with Belle but it seemed Belle was too lost in her grief. "Ailuin, what do we do?! She's so much stronger than I am! I can't put out the flames!" Elayne said as the fire grew stronger and caused the both of them to back away further. Elayne tried every spell she knew possible to put out flames but nothing was working. Elayne then thought to her conversation with Zel and frowned. She hated to interrupt him but he was the only person powerful enough to deal with Belle. "Watch her. I need to get Zel. Its the only chance we've got!" Elayne picked up her skirts and hurried away to their quarters. 

As she got in, she ignored the children and tried to find the newest teleportation device Quinton updated and used it. She was grateful Vanya and Cal were in bed as Elayne snuck into the house. She hurried to Zel's bedroom and woke him. "Zel! Quick! I need you! Belle's powers are out of control she's set everything ablaze! I cant put them out and its spreading! Help me!" She whispered so the children didnt hear her as she pulled Zel into a portal before he could answer as they walked into the hall of the classroom being set ablaze but the spreading was further now.

"I do not know. I have tried putting out the flames as well but I am not strong enough." Ailuin had a worried look on his face as he backed up as the flames grew stronger. He was seriously at a loss of what to do and she wasn't seeming to respond to their efforts. He glanced at her as she mentioned his half-brother and he nodded. "Yes, go get him. He is stronger than I am."

Meanwhile, Zel was currently in his bedroom, lightly dozing. It didn't take much for Elayne to wake him and he startled at the sight of her. He opened his mout to question her, concerned with how frazzled she looked. "Elayne--" He started but be stopped as she pulled him from bed and into a portal. It was a good thing he had not decided to sleep naked tonight, but he was still without a shirt.

Still, that didn't matter. As they approached the classroom, he saw the flames and swore. "Don't worry, I'll handle this." He approached the flames and walked into them, using magic to put them out. Unlike Elayne and Ailuin's attempts, his magic was strong enough to calm the flames and get rid of them. He approached Belle and bent down in front of her. "Belle, hey, it's okay."

He picked her up and stood up, holding her close to him. "What happened, little Belle? Won't you tell me?"

Belle gasped at first when the strange dark elf picked her up. She didn't remember Zel very well but something about him was familiar to her. "The other children kept calling me mad...all i wanted was for people to see the good I see in others. Maybe I am mad..." She whimpered as Elayne walked into the burned classroom with a frown and hurried over. "Oh nooo Belle. You are not! You are the kindest, gentlest, and wisest little girl i have ever known. Please don't you ever let others put you down." Elayne cupped her child's face and kissed her forehead. Elayne felt her heart break that others bullied her little girl to the point of bursting into flames. "Please give me my baby girl, Zel." Elayne held her arms out while crying uncontrollably.

"You are not mad at all, little Belle." He hugged her close, not wanting her to hurt anymore. He didn't expect her to remember him as it had been years since he had last saw her, but he was so grateful to see her again. She had gotten so big.

Ailuin hurried over as well, looking at the damage done. It was a real mess and the children were going to be scared of her. Which meant that she would not be to be tutored privately. He wasn't upset at her, though. He was more upset at himself for not realizing that she was being picked on.

Zelious nodded and handed Belle over to Elayne. "She really has grown. Look how big she is. She's just as beautiful as her mother." He couldn't help but smile before he glanced at Ailuin and nodded to him. "Hello, Ailuin. It's good to see you." Ailuin looked at Zel and nodded. "Thank you for your help, Zelious. If not for you, Belle would still be crying while the flames grew even stronger."

"My baby! Oh my sweet little dove!" Elayne scooped Belle in her arms and rocked Belle who burried into her mother's embrace and cried. Elayne couldn't crying herself, she was so frightened for her little girl. Elayne rocked Belle for a long moment before Bellethiel turned to her father. "I'm sorry... I just got so upset that i didn't see the flames. I just thought i was crying. I'm a failure..." Belle whimpered as Elayne shook he head. "Bellethiel, you are not a failure! You hear me?! It was an accident. Your father and I have made more serious errors than you ever have! Do not blame yourself." She looked at Belle seriously who looked surprised and then nodded. She then looked over to Ailuin and reached out. "Here...go to your father." Elayne sighed and offered her to Ailuin to hold.

"I'm glad that I could help," Zelious said in response to Ailuin's words and stepped aside to allow the family to be together. He couldn't help but watch them with an almost bittersweet look on his face. He didn't know why, but he was sad. Ailuin approached his wife and daughter, plucking Belle from Elayne's arms once she reached out for him.

He held her close to him, gently rubbing her back. "Do not worry about the damage done nor the kids who made you upset. You will be tutored one on one from now on. I should have been more considerate when placing you in this class. I do hope that you can forgive your foolish father," Ailuin said, gazing down at her softly.

"Privately? No! She should not have to hide because of a few bullies. They should be dealt with Ailuin!" Elayne growled and then noticed Zel staring. "We'll talk about this later." Elayne said to Ailuin before walking away and over to Zelious. "I'm sorry to bring you here. I had no choice." Elayne frowned as she walked away with Zel for a moment and found a corner to hide with him. She looked up at him gratefully and cupped his face. "You're sad..." She frowned at him. "I never should have gotten close to you again... I made things harder for you." She teared up at him.

Ailuin looked up at Elayne as he held his daughter, a frown tugging at his lips. "I did not say that they would not be dealt with but yes, you are right. We will talk about this later." He nodded to Zelious before turning to focus on the classroom and waved a hand to restore it with magic. "I will take you to your room, Belle." He kissed the top of her head before walking off with her.

Meanwhile, Zelious walked with Elayne away from his half brother and focused on her. "Don't apologize. I don't mind coming to help. It was nice to see Belle again even if she doesn't remember me." He leaned into her hand, closing his blue eyes. "Again, don't apologize. I'm only sad because Belle isn't mine and doesn't remember me." He opened his eyes and looked at her, leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers. "I'm glad that you came back into my life."

"I wanted to go back that night...I wanted to pack my things and run back to you. Leaving you and my babies destroyed me..." Elayne begun to cry. "When will it be enough, Zel? All I want is you and my freedom..." She pressed her forehead gently against his. "Its so hard. My children see my misery everyday and it hurts because they dont understand why and i cant explain it. Thalion is the only one who clings to me. Belle and Aisling care more for their father than me..." Elayne whimpered again. "I feel so alone..." She begun to sob.

Zelious's gaze softened and he wrapped her up in his arms, holding her snugly against his chest as he rested his chin on the top of her head. "If I could, I would steal you away with me. I know Ailuin wouldn't mind if you came to live with me and the children. He seems to have accepted that the two of us are in love." Of course, Zelious didn't know anything about Rosalind and Alduin.

"I know, love. It's hard going on without you as well. Though, it did help to know that you've been checking in on us. I think Cal is starting to become suspicious about you not being dead. He's a clever boy. If Vanya knows, she hasn't shown any sign of it." He kissed the top of her head and nuzzled against her.

"You're never alone. You can always come see me when times get tough." He pulled away slightly in order to tilt her face up by her chin, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips. "I love you. Remember, all of this is only temporary."

"I just want to go home..." She looked up at him with watery blue eyes like the heartbroken little girl she used to be. "I want to go back to the cottage with you, live among the fae, and have peace. I dont want any of this anymore." Elayne eyes flooded with tears down her cheeks. "This is too hard...if it werent for my children id leave but I cant now. I feel trapped, underappreciated, and even the high elves hate me. They keep figjting with my decisions. Its horrible Zel..." She cried into his chest.

Zelious couldn't stand to see her cry because it made him feel weak, knowing that he couldn't do anything to make things better for her. He was stuck in the Fae lands, unable to be with her. But he didn't regret his children and he knew that they needed him but he couldn't help but also want to be there for his love.

"One day, you will have that. I promise you will have that." He gently wiped her tears and smiled at her. "But I need you to be strong in the meantime. I know it's hard, but think about how worthwhile it will be when you can put this all behind you. Fuck what the high elves say. They're mostly made up of crusty old elves who have no business in royal matters. Don't you dare let them get to you. If you show weakness, they will tear you apart. So you have to be strong, okay?"

Elayne nodded gently at him and sighed as she tried to get her bearings. She pulled him into one more passionate kiss as her fingers tangled into his hair. Kissing Zelious was the one solace in her life right now and she needed his love right now to get through this. Then a suprised voice echoed in the corner as Elayne jumped and turned to see Neivan staring in surprise. "Oh my...I apologize for interrupting, my Queen. I was merely coming over to..." He said while staring at Zelious and trailing off. "To hide?" Elayne asked as Neivan snapped back to reality. "Yes, to hide. Other Lords have been bothering me all morning, this is usually where i go to get away from them for a bit and read in peace...Shall I go? I can come back..." He said as Elayne shhok her head. "I was leaving...I hope I can trust you to not say a word." She said as Neivan smiled gallantly. "Of course, my Queen. I would never gossip." He bowed as Elayne sighed and nuged Zel to follow.

Zelious kept his arms wrapped around her waist and kissed her back, forgetting about where he was currently at. As he heard a voice and Elayne broke away, he shifted his blue gaze towards the source of the noise and saw an elven man. As the elf stared at him, Zelious couldn't help but glare at him.

He didn't like being interrupted and he also didn't like that someone had seen them. He worried for Elayne's reputation. There was something about the other man that Zelious didn't like. He didn't trust that he would keep quiet. He looked at Elayne and moved to her side to whisper in her ear. "Do you want me to kill him? If he talks about what he has seen, it will cause you trouble."

"No, he's Rosaria's suitor...we can't." Elayne sighed as she walked with him and hugged his arm as they left. "You should go..." Elayne frowned slightly before activating a portal. "Give the children my love..." She smiled before kissing him quickly on the lips and then backed away from him.

Zelious frowned at that, not liking that this man was the suitor for his half sister. Elayne was right, though. He needed to get back home before the children woke up and realized he was gone. Still, he felt uneasy about leaving Elayne alone. "I will, but promise me that you will keep an eye on that man. And don't let your guard down around any of the high elf nobles."

He kissed her on the forehead before turning on his heel to walk into the portal, unable to help but send a silent prayer to the gods to look after her in his place. He couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that something terrible might happen.

Elayne frowned as she made her way down to their quarters to find Ailuin. She wasn't expecting him and the teacher. Her brow furrowed at that and pursed her lips irritabily as she crossed her arms when approaching. "I hope you have come to a decision on the punishment for your students for their behavior towards our daughter." She glared at the teacher. "Punishment? For your daughter's lack of self control? Absolutely not! I just finished suggesting to the King that Bellethiel should be privately tutored." She said rather cooly and offended. Elayne glared at her and then snapped her gaze to Ailuin. "No! Belle will not be treated like a monster! I will not have it! You should have been competent enough to control your students!" Elayne growled as the High elven teacher gasped in anger. "You should have been competent enough to teach your daughter to control her magic." She said as Elayne's hair flashed red and her eyes in flames. She growled ferociously as fire blew from her mouth as the High elf didn't look shocked. "I wonder where she gets that temper from..." The teacher said as Elayne's cursed self faded away. "That child is not welcome in my class. Im thinking of the safety of all the children...maybe tou should think of yours...good day to you..." She walked away nonchalantly as Elayne stared at Ailuin. "Thats great...thanks for just standing there Ailuin. Like you always do!" Elayne growled before running off into the bedroom.

Ailuin looked up as Elayne returned and spotted him with the teacher. "Elayne, we were just discussing the incident." He then fell silent as she zeroed in on the teacher, ignoring what he said. He frowned at that and watched the two women as they began a battle of wills. He tried to get a word in but the two women were far too focused on each other.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Why were women so difficult? As the teacher stormed out, he focused his attention on his wife. He moved to chase after her, knowing that she was pissed at him. "I tried to get a word in but the two of you were far too busy in your little match. Fret not, Elayne, I will have her replaced and the children disciplined. Bullying will not be tolerated, no matter what."

Elayne hurried over to the wardrobe and pulled many dresses out as she cried. She just wanted to leave and never turn back. This was all getting too difficult for Elayne. "I can't do this anymore Ailuin...I can't." She cried as she was mentally breaking down. "I need to take Belle and the others away from here..." Elayne whimpered before sinking to the ground to cry. "I refuse for them to treat Bellethiel the way i was treated. I don't want my baby being treated like she is a monster the same way I was!" Elayne broke down mentally.

Meanwhile Belle heard every word and followed out her bedroom to listen to here parents in their room. She couldn't help but cry and take the portal device from the table that Elayne accidentally put down and look at it curiously. Her first thought was to go into the city as she put a cloak on. A portal opened as Belle curiously waljed through it to find herself into the city. People were bustling about as she walked about curiously as she had never stepped foot outside the castle walls without her parents.

Ailuin frowned and stepped into their room, closing the door behind him as he quickly approached his wife. He knelt down in front of her and took her into his arms, holding her close to him. "Elayne, I would never allow anyone to treat our children like that. You have my word. I will take extra precautions to make sure that something like this never happens again."

Meanwhile, a young dark elf boy was skulking around the city. He made sure not to let his skin color be seen by the inhabitants of the city, knowing that the elves here didn't trust dark elves.He wore a hooded cloak and dark clothing. It was no surprise, though. His mother was threatening to attack and wasn't the type to make idle threats. No, she planned on attacking soon. That was why he wanted a glimpse of the city before it was destroyed by his mother's armies.