A Savior Bathed In Crimson [Closed]

The forest was thick. A cool breeze pushed it's way through the trees. The sun was high in the sky, beaming down through open areas of the thick trees above. Nerine was walking along a path she had become familiar with. She was calm as usual, humming a light tune as she walked along. She listened to the air as it blew passed her. A whistle could be heard among the trees as the air weaves it's way in and out of them. It was beautiful. Nerine loved it here. It was relaxing to her. She hopped over a small log, landing quite elegantly on the other side. She was completely unaware of the eyes peering through the trees out at her. As she began to walk, she heard something behind her and looked, but nothing was there. "Hello?" she called out, her sweet voice echoing through the trees. Nothing seemed to be there. She turned and continued walking, humming again. This was a mistake; it prevented her from hearing them get closer. There was a break in her tune and suddenly she could hear them coming. She could hear the footsteps rapidly closing in on her. She turned around to see and...

"AAAHHHH!!!!"

A high pitched shriek echoed all around, piercing the ears of anyone close enough to hear. She struggled against the grasps of men. There were four of them. They grabbed her wrists, her neck, her waist, her clothes, her hair, and any other pat of her to get a good grip. She went to scream for help, tears falling rapidly from her eyes as a fear she had never felt before set in. They slapped a hand over her mouth. "Gag her." one said. Her eyes widened as she had a dirty cloth stuffed into her mouth. A rope followed the cloth; they tied it around her head, down her neck, around her wrists, and then down to her waist, keeping her entire upper body tied to tight she couldn't move. They let her go and her body dropped to the ground. Her eyes looked up to them in fear, her body trembling as their hate filled expressions glared down at her. "What'll we do with 'er now?" one of them asked. "Bring the bitch back to camp. She'll make a good slave." another replied. The stronger looking of the four grabbed onto the rope and began dragging her along the forest ground, not caring about what she was being dragged through.

"Someone help me..." she thought, wishing she had not wandered so far from home. They made it to the camp and she was lifted from the ground like she weighed nothing. Her body was tossed over a fire toward a large log, colliding with the ground hard enough that she heard something crack. Moving around, she was happy to find that what cracked was an old twig and not part of her own body. She laid there as one of them came toward her. He grabbed the rope around her wrists and lifted her up, tossing her over the log to lay on her back. "What's y'er name girly?" he asked, but she didn't answer him. He smacked her and asked again, but she didn't answer. He punched her in the stomach, causing her to whimper and buckle over. He pushed her to the ground and kicked her side. She screamed through the dirty rag. "Ay'. Ya gotta take the damn rag out if ya' wan' her to talk." one of the men said. "Oh, righ'. Gotcha." he said and ripped the dirty clothe from her mouth, though the rope was still there, "Same question, wench."

"Nerine... My name is Nerine."

"GRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Nerine's eyes widened at the sudden yell that came from the forest. A man, an elf, ran forward and completely beheaded the first he came in contact with. After he stabbed the second through the stomach, Nerine could not watch. She closed her eyes tightly, wincing at the sounds of battle until they finally came to a stop. She opened her eyes out of curiosity, watching this large man come toward her. She wiggled around a bit, her eyes wide and fearful. She closed her eyes, waiting to be slain like the others when he knelt down, but instead felt her body freed. She opened her eyes and looked back up to him, pleased to see a much gentler look in his eyes. "They're gone now, miss." he said as he helped her up and set her down on the log. He definitely made her feel light as a feather when he did that. "They won't be able to hurt you or anyone else any more... I am Sarilann Aguraad... what is your name, and what clan do you hail from?" Nerine's heart was still racing. The excitement that happened here was not something she was used to; she normally had quite the quiet life.

"Nerine..." she spoke, her voice as light and gentle as a spring breeze, "I-I come from the Enelia Clan. We're a short walk in th-..." Nerine was about to point in the direction she thought she came from, but wasn't sure whether that was it. She looked around and realized she was kind of lost. "Oh dear..." she said. She looked back to him and saw the finger sticking out of his arm. Without really thinking, she reached forward and pulled it from his body. She was careful, so it wouldn't hurt him too much. She threw the finger to the side and waved her hand rapidly, like a girl touching a slimy bug. "Ew, ew, ew." she said and then placed her hand over his wound to apply enough pressure to stop blood, "I'm not the best person for the job, but if you have anything to wrap the wound with, I can get you patched up."

"Thank you for helping me... You were making your way to my clan?" Nerine tilted her head curiously at the meaning behind that, "May I ask why you were coming to see us?" Nerine would notice the grotesque finger and pull it from his body. He didn't seem phased at all by that. She smiled in slight awe at his strength and tolerance for pain. When she asked for something to wrap his wound with, she wasn't expecting him to grab pieces of the dead men's clothing. She looked at it confused, but then nodded in agreement. "When we get back to the clan, I'll have one of our healers dress your wound in something a bit more fitting." she said with a sweet smile as she cleaned his wound up and wrapped the sleeve around it. She finished dressing his wound and went to slide off of the log. In trying, she winced a bit. The men had thrown her around and kicked at her quite a lot. She almost felt like something might of been broken, but she knew that the amount of pain she had wasn't matching her being that badly injured.

Sarilann suddenly lifted her up by the back of her shirt. She let out a cute squeak, a little startled at being lifted so easily and once again being made to feel light as a feather. As she was lifted, she curled up a bit, like a puppy being carried along by the scruff of his neck, and then relaxed once she was set down. She wrapped her slender arms around his neck, careful not to pull to hard on him. "I apologize for being so forceful with this, but I feel you'd be more comfortable traveling this way." "No, no. Don't apologize. If it weren't for you, those men would still be hurting me. I appreciate everything you've done." She tightened her arms for a moment, giving him an awkward hug, "Dad's gonna like you. He says the clan needs a few more strong men around." "Hold on tight. This shouldn't take long." Nerine blinked a couple of times and then wrapped her arms a little tighter. A moment later, they were on their way toward the path. Nerine's mind wandered for a moment, but her thoughts really only made her sad.

It was disappointing. Today was Nerine's first time truly leaving the village for an adventure and something like this happens just a couple minutes out. "I guess it wasn't meant to be..." she thought. "So, what is it you do for the Enelia clan, Miss Nerine?" Nerine thought for a moment and shook her head. "I'm not really important. I help out when someone needs me, but the Enelia are very simple." she explained to him, "They don't go on adventures or travel. They rarely make contact with the other clans. They're actually quite isolated. It's not the funnest place to be, unless you like a dull life..." Nerine glanced off with a sorrowed look. She didn't really like having a dull life with an every day routine, but that's all her clan offered. "I guess their lack of adventure is made for by how kind and friendly they all are. Everyone is welcome there. I've never seen anyone turned away when they needed help."

"You are very kind to travel around with such a goal..." Nerine looked at him with slight surprise and then her smile returned, only to be softer than before. She liked him. He was kind and saved her life, so he was a good man. She would pay him back some how. "Has something happened with the strong men, or is most of your clan beautiful women like you?" Nerine giggled, blushing a little at the compliment. "Thank you... And it's sad to say that I don't remember a time where there were many strong men in our village." she explained, "The village has always been at peace. We don't have really any warriors or strong fighters. The strongest men are the hunters, like my Dad, but there are only around five to ten of them and they bring back just enough for the entire clan to enjoy. It may sound harsh, but I feel the clan has grown so used to tranquility that they've gotten a little soft in that sense." It really was a shame to say that all of the men in your clan were soft. There is a good reason this little lady is single.

 "I feel those that help with everything are more important than those that only do a single job. You're like a home-bound version of me, hahah." Nerine's eyes widened and she looked down to her chest. She was unsure of how to take that, but went on by making a small joke. "I think I'm a little short for that title." she said with an innocent smile. She meant it, but really didn't know how to take being compared to a strong large man. She didn't exactly realize he meant on how she was helping her village. "Having a lack of adventure isn't too big of a downside. Otherwise..." When he looked back, so did she. "what just happened would be far more common." Nerine's arms tightened a bit around his neck. She wasn't choking him. She didn't have the strength for that. "But to have a kind clan surrounding you is a very good thing. I've seen clans who won't even welcome their own kind into their villages. It's a sad state, really. I am surprised so many of them have survived..."

"I haven't had something like that happen to me before..." Nerine quickly wiped a tear from her eye, "I've never been so scared in my life. I can see why Dad didn't want me leaving now..." She looked up to him with a weak smile. "I owe you my life Sarilann, thank you." she placed a small kiss on his cheek and smiled bigger. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the path and pointed to it. "That's where we need to go." she said cheerfully, though her voice was as soft as it always was, "Head in that direction." It'd rally only take two minutes for them to get back to the clan. She wasn't that far off at all. Once they were, Nerine would catch quite a few eyes as she re-entered the village. "Nerine, dear, what happened? You look all beat up." a woman hurried up to her and asked. "I'm okay Lady Auriel. I wasn't too far out when these men attacked me." she explained to the people who began surrounding them and then motioned to Sarilann, "This man's name is Sarilann. He rescued me from them and brought me back home."

It was a small town, so news traveled very quickly. "Nerine!!! NERINE!!" from across what would be called the town square an elf with short black hair darted toward Nerine. "Daddy, I'm okay." Nerine reassured him as her Father reached toward her and pulled her from Sarilann's back as gently as he could. He examined her face and placed her down to examine the rest of her. "You've had rope around your mouth and you've been slapped..." he knelt down to be more at her height. Her Father was the same height as Sarilann and built quite similar. The two look like if they fought it'd be a tie. Too bad her Father wasn't a fighter, but a hunter. Her Father noticed everything about Nerine, always had. It was sometimes awkward. "You're standing oddly... Where else are you hurt?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at her. She couldn't lie to him. "They hit me in my stomach and kicked my side... I haven't looked, but it hurts really bad..." Nerine lowered her head and cried a little. "We'll get you checked out immediately." 

"I'm sorry, Daddy..." she said, wiping her tears again, but then moved over to Sarilann, "This man saved me, so can we make him dinner tonight? And he needs his shoulder checked out." Nerine suddenly shot the scariest glare over to a group of woman who were about to step forward, "And only Lady Auriel can touch him. I find out any of you women came within five feet, you'll regret it." The women all took a step back, having never seen Nerine so protective over someone before, but that pretty much meant she had "marked her territory". He didn't belong to her, but there was no way one of the desperate girls of the village were going to try and snatch him up in the night. "So you are the one who rescued my little girl, huh?" Nerine's Father, Mailian, stood up fully and held out his hand, "Thank you for your help. Please, as my daughter has said, we will have someone dress your wounds and a dinner will be cooked in your honor tonight. It's not ever day we get visitors, so do what you want. Explore the town."

"Come on." Nerine tugged on Sarilann's hand and lead him toward Lady Auriel's place. Upon arrival, they were welcomed with smiles and hugs. "I'm so glad you made it home safe and thank you for bringing her back." Lady Auriel, the same woman who greeted them before was the one to take care of them. Her husband, stepped up to Nerine and picked the small girl up, setting her down on a taller table. "Lift your shirt, hun." he said and she did as she asked. Nerine's entire right side was dark, heavily bruised from being kicked. "You too. Remove your shirt. Come. Come." Lady Auriel nudged at Sarilann. Through out this process, Nerine would be given different mixtures of herbs and then have her entire torso wrapped up tightly. "Those bastards who did this to you are dead, right?" Lady Auriel's husband asked and Nerine nodded, explaining how Sarilann came out of the woods and destroyed them. She talked him up as if he were this great super hero in her mind, causing the two to smirk toward him.

"There you go..." Arinus helped Nerine sit up and off the table. The pain was numbed because of the herbs given, so she felt much better. "Thank you. Do I come back for more tomorrow?" Nerine asked and Arinus nodded toward her. Nerine smiled and stepped over to Sarilann, "Are you okay?"

Nerine was not the only one to take a liking to Sarilann. The entire village was in an uproar over his arrival. The rumors of him taking out ten slavers to save Nerine spread like wildfire, as if the two of them had told them the story that way. Elves were rushing around, trying to prepare a feast for the night. Sarilann was going to be treated like a king tonight. Anyone who took the time to rescue someone from the village the way he did deserved it. There was going to be music, dance, drinking, and anything else you could think of at a part. Nerine figured this would happen.

This entire village was her family and she knew how much they appreciated people like Sarilann. There was one thing she was worried about. She thought about it while Arinus was working on her too. Sarilann was a rare occurrence. He was big, strong, handsome, a good man, and what everyone would assume, single. There were way too many single women in this village. Nerine was counting down to the moment her Father asks Sarilann what his intentions toward Nerine were.

"Yes, Lady Auriel did a fine job sewing the hole up. How are you? Your side was far more bruised than I thought... You should have said something, I would have carried you differently." Nerine gently pat her side. "I'm okay and you were gentle enough. I didn't want to burden you anymore than I already had." she explained kindly, "You saved my life and brought me home. I couldn't ask for more... How's your arm?" She stepped a little closer to look at the bandages, but something else caught her eye. She looked at his chest, noticing a few scars.

"And don't worry about my arm. It will be fine. I just need to let it rest some, that's all." he spoke, but her attention was currently on his chest. "Wow..." she whispered slightly. She found herself reaching forward, placing a hand on the longest and tracing it down with her finger, "Do you go into battle quite often? Looks like you always come out on the better side of things, huh? Of course, seeing as you're alive, that's obvious. Do you have any more like this?"

"Uh... Nerine, hun... Come here for a moment." Arinus heard what she was asking him and decided to interfere. "Yes?" Nerine turned and stepped over. She was handed a small pouch of herbs. "Give this to your Father. After tonight, you know he's going to get sick." Arinus said. Nerine giggled in a way that showed she was a little embarrassed. Her Father was a bit of a heavy drinker during parties, so everyone expected him to act a little dorky. "I'll make sure to give it to him." she said and turned back toward Sarilann. Arinus gave Sarilann a knowing nod the moment Nerine couldn't see.

"I'll show you where I live, okay? I need to change clothes, these are too dirty now." Nerine turned toward the exit and stopped, "Um. As a warning, please stay away from the women in the village. A new man comes around and they'll be all over you. So... just be careful... please." Nerine sighed and pushed the door open. The moment she stepped out of the building, a few many women were standing outside waiting. She ignored them and continued walking.

The moment Sarilann would make an appearance, they'd all jump to their feet and surround him. "So you saved Nerine, right?" "Are you single?" "Are you interested in not being single?" "Do you think we're pretty?" "Who do you think is the prettiest?" "You're so handsome!" "There's no man in the village as strong as you are!" Questions and compliments, one after the other, all were thrown in his direction. Nerine ended up being squeezed out of the crowd and completely away from Sarilann as a whole.

"Well ain't he popular." one of the men from the village stepped up, "Thanks a lot Nerine. The women here already have problems with us. We didn't need something else to be compared to beyond their damn fairy tail books." "If you chose to stop acting like weak cowards, then maybe you'd get a wife." Nerine replied with malice in her voice, "It's not my fault you guys chose to play in your gardens and make clothes while the women went out and hunt. You're all backwards." Nerine was not one of these hunting women, but many in the village were and very little of them actually liked the role.

"I guess I'll meet you later... okay?" Nerine spoke in a disappointed tone and waved to Sarilann. She began walking off toward her home, her head slightly lowered. She didn't know why, but she enjoyed the thought of him coming along with her. She hadn't had a real friend in a very long time, so him being around made her feel better. With this many beautiful women surrounding him, she had no chance.

Nerine waited outside for a couple of minutes while girls flocked around to see Sarilann. She kept a straight face, but it was annoying to watch. She knew it would happen. If he hadn't saved her and it was someone else he had saved, Nerine knew it was quite possible that even she would be one of these desperate women right now. It's why she didn't say anything and scolded the male who came to insult her. It really was a shame and a pretty pathetic sight. Once Sarilann came out and they surrounded him, Nerine figured she wasn't going to be able to talk to him, so she merely waved and began walking off. She was lost in thought when he suddenly came up by her side. She jumped, a little startled at his arrival. "I'm surprised you were able to get away." Nerine glanced back to the women, a few looking sad and others glaring at her. Part of her wanted to stick her tongue out at them, but she chose otherwise. There was not point in irritating any of them anymore than she was. She did have to live in this village.

"So, how should I help with the feast?" Nerine blinked a couple times in surprise as she looked up to him. "Since I can't use this arm," he said. She looked to his arm as he flexed it, fighting a blush when she had a little day dream pass through her mind. He did make her feel light as a feather. "I can't really do too much right now... but I still need to help." It was then that Nerine noticed he wasn't wearing his armor. "You don't need to help with anything when it comes to the feast, that is all for you." she said, glancing at the robes he was wearing, "You only need a couple days of rest until it's healed, so don't push yourself. The gardeners prepare the food here, not the warriors." "Also..." "Hm?" she glanced back to the women who still followed them for a bit. "you didn't tell me that it was that bad..." "I tried to warn you... I'm sorry." she said with a sigh, "That's what happens when women are starved of men. An actual man shows up and they can't help but gather. It's like a Legend of Myths has shown up..."

Nerine glared back to the women who just kept inching closer to them. She wrapped her arm around Sarilann's uninjured one and began pulling him along, rushing toward her home to get him away from them. Nerine would have to admit that she was being a little territorial right now. He saved her not them, so they needed to leave him alone. It wouldn't take long for them to arrive at Nerine's home. Nerine lead Sarilann inside and set the sack of herbs on the kitchen counter. "Daddy, we're here." she called out through the house. "Alright Nerine, I'll be down in a moment." Nerine then lead Sarilann to a living area and offered him a seat. "Would you like anything to drink?" she asked as she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. "Alright, so we have the honored guest of the village in our home. Welcome, Stranger." "His name is Sarilann, Daddy." Nerine politely corrected. "Ah, yes. Sarilann. Welcome to our home and thank you once again for saving my little girl." Mailian turned to Nerine, "May I have some tea, dear?"

Nerine nodded and made her way to the kitchen to get the tea and whatever Sarilann would have requested when Nerine asked. "My name is Mailian, if no one already told you." he introduced himself again, "So, how was the rest of the village? Did the women mob you, yet?" Mailian chuckled at the fact and then leaned forward while sitting on the couch. He set his elbows on his knees and motioned Sarilann to lean forward so Nerine couldn't hear them talk. "As a warning, the women in this village are insane. They're all hunters and warriors, so they don't have really any of the feminine charms that women should have." Mailian shot a look toward his daughter, "My daughter is one of the few girls in the village that you can still fully call a woman. I didn't allow her to take that tough route after her Mother died, so if you want a good woman, that's who you want to snatch up." Mailian nodded a few times, as if Sarilann would just understand what he was getting at. Mailian signaled Sariliann and then leaned back.

"Here are your drinks." Nerine happily set a tray down on the small table in between the two of them and handed them each their beverages, asking sweetly, "What were you two talking about?" "Oh, nothing too important. Just a man to man talk." Mailian spoke up quickly, waving their conversation off like it was nothing. "Oh, alright." Nerine didn't believe him for shit, but she could play it off like that. "The feast will be starting in an hour, right after the sun goes down, so you two get ready to have some fun." Mailian picked up his glass and took a drink. "Lady Auriel and Arinus had me bring you some medicine. They know how you are when you get drunk." Nerine spoke with an angry tone as she glared toward her Father. She didn't like the way he drank at parties. "Oh, no, no. I promise I won't get too bad this time, I swear." Mailian said as sincerely as he could. Nerine just sighed and looked to Sarilann with a suspicious expression, "You don't get so drunk you forget not to vomit all over a freshly cleaned floor, do you?" 

Mailian definitely did have the wrong idea, but that didn't matter to him. He wanted his daughter to have a man in her life, not one of these weak pansy little pieces of nothing that she was stuck dealing with in this village. The men here ran from fights while Sarilann charged in to save Nerine. That was a huge and rare thing to be seen here in the Enelia. It was disappointing and a lot of the women were ashamed to even say that they were a part of the village. Mailian was actually one of the few that the women here would loved to have had a chance with, but his heart was taken by Nerine's Mother and he doesn't feel as if he could ever love another, and he doesn't really even try to either. He's quite happy with it being just him and his daughter. And though Nerine was unaware of the fact, her Father hated parties. He drank so much at them because he was forced to go as the current Head of the Enelia and many of the women always tried getting with him, the same way they ambushed Sarilann, probably hoping her changed his mind about being with someone new. He felt the only way he could deal with being at one of these celebrations was by drinking so much that he wouldn't remember it the next day.

"Huh? Ah... no... I don't think I've been drunk before, actually... I... can't remember any time when I would have, no..." Mailian and Nerine both smiled at him. That was actually good to hear. "Ah, not a drinking man, huh? Good. Don't start it until you're older and your kids are grown, if you choose to have any." Mailian said with a laugh, "Got to stay healthy, ya know?" Mailian nodded as he took up his cup and drank a bit more tea. "My Father didn't start drinking until just a few years ago. I can't say I understand why he started, but I am in no place to tell him to stop." Nerine spoke to Sarilann, but it seemed more like a lecture toward her Father, thought also her showing her own understanding, "With how much he carries the clan, I don't feel like he should have to quit, especially since it's usually only during parties. The others in the village don't seem to agree though." "Nerine..." Mailian spoke up and pointed to her stomach, "Your clothes, they have blood on them dear; you should go change." "Oh...Right. Yes Father." Nerine stood up and bowed politely to the two of them, "Please excuse me, I'll return shortly." and then walked off, making her way up the stairs and to her room to change.

"So, Mister Mailian, I would like to talk business. Although I can't do much with my left arm, I still have a perfectly-function right arm. Since I doubt anyone would let me assist today, is there anything I can help the village with starting tomorrow? I am capable of assisting with construction, hunting, fishing, minor medicine, and cooking if need be. People also have said I'm good with kids, although..." Mailian blinked and looked toward his injured shoulder with a knowing expression. "I have a feeling children will end up causing my stitches to open again." "Hm... I see. You do not have to call me Mister or use any formalities similar. You are on equal standings with me, so speak as you would a friend." Mailian spoke more professionally now that his daughter was out of the room, "You're right, no one will let you help with the feasts. It's not really a gift if you helped pay for it, at least that's what the women would say. Now... Honestly, we've been having trouble out on the hunts. Humans have made their way closer and closer to our borders, so we haven't been able to get much meat for the clan. You'd be able to help with that, though we'd have to go before the women found out..."

"If you're up for it, after that arm is better, we could hand you a bow and you and I can head out for a bit." Mailian said, though there was the faintest hint of disappointment in his tone, "It feels rude accepting help like that, but with the men around here, if you can even call them that, it's hard not to. I really wish you would steal my daughter from this place... I hate seeing her so unhappy..." A second or two after that final sentence, a new Nerine came down the stairs. The dirt on her face was cleaned off, her hair was nicely brushed, and she wore a cute sunflower colored dress. "That feels a lot better." Nerine spoke up with a small smile and sat down next to her Father. "Well don't you look beautiful." Mailian said with a smile. "Thanks Dad." Nerine blushed a little at the compliment being said in front of a guest. She felt as if he was trying to embarrass her. "The feast will be starting soon. We should head down to the Square and pick our seats." Nerine said and stood up, her Father following suit. "They'll probably have you sing again, Ner'." Mailian said and she nodded, seemingly excited for that. "Come on." Nerine looped an arm with Sarilann and began leading him along toward the square where everything was almost ready.

The moment Nerine returned and decided it was time to make their way toward the festivities, Mailian slouched hopelessly forward in despair. He whined a little bit and stood up before they made their way out. Everything was quite wonderful out in the square. Children were running around, happily helping with the preparations. Women were standing around, guarding the place until called to the table. The men prepared the table quickly. Upon seeing Nerine and Sarilann returning, people sped up their paces just a bit and the women began their way toward the table. Though it would not be terribly obvious, the others refused to sit until Mailian, Nerine, and Sarilann had all taken their seats. Nerine was happily chatting with a young girl across from her when Sarilann leaned in to whisper to her. "I see what you and your father meant about the men here... It's worse than I thought..." Nerine turned toward him, blinked a couple times, and then brought her hand up to her mouth to hide her laugh.

“Y-Yes...” she said, trying to stop giggling, “It really is not the best place to be if you're wanting to find a decent husband or wife. Everything is so mixed up.”

“Now then...” Mailian grabbed his drink and stood up. Everyone was seated at the many tables that filled up the town square. The entire village was here, which really wasn't more than maybe one hundred people. Mailian cleared his throat and caught everyone's attention. All eyes were now on him, including a few women around his age that couldn't help but stare at one of the actual men in the village. “We have gathered in the town square today to welcome and thank one man. This man,” Mailian motioned politely toward Sarilann, “for saving the life of my daughter, Nerine, the next head of the clan. As we all know, she went out to travel, but was ambushed by the humans that are making their way closer and closer to our lands. In a heroic effort, Sarilann defeated them and returned Nerine to us alive.” Mailian then turned to Sarilann and smiled, “Thank you. We all thank you, my friend.”

The entire town raised their glasses after the speech and in a cheerful glee shouted, “To Sarilann!” And everyone took their drinks. From there, the party officially began. People began eating, talking, laughing, and just having fun. Nerine sat quietly for a while, eating her food while a few of the younger women, as if you could really call them that, began talking to Sarilann and questioning him about things he's done and places he's been. “Don't just let them move in on your territory! Push them back, Nerine.” Mailian practically begged his daughter in a whispered tone. “Daddy!!” she glared at him and he began to whine toward her, so she whispered angrily back, “I'm not going to bother him anymore than I already have, so stop it! If he likes them, then he likes them.”

“Ladies!!!” Mailian stood up suddenly and began pushing the women back, “Let the man eat and drink. You're becoming a nuisance.” That final sentence was spoken in the most intimidating and irritating tone that Mailian's deep voice could muster up. The women stared at him for a moment and then just backed off, finally leaving Sarilann to peace. Mailian turned toward Sarilann and Nerine and gave a big thumbs up and smile, a small twinkle coming off of his white teeth. Nerine smacked her hand to her forehead and whined a little. Her Father was so embarrassingly obvious about his intentions.

“So embarrassing...” she said and took a drink. She looked toward Sarilann with an apologetic smile. “I'm sorry about all of this. I know he's being extremely obvious about everything, but that's how he is.” Nerine explained as she stood from her seat,  “I'm going t-...” “Nerine!” a young boy snuck up on her and tugged on her shirt, “Sing for us, please? Sing!” Suddenly a few other people joined in on this and Nerine smiled. “Alright, alright.” she said as she was dragged over to a small stage. “The Voice.” Nerine told the people who would be playing the music for her. They nodded and began playing. A few moments later, Nerine would begin singing her song. In a few minutes, her song would end and everyone would applaud. Nerine would take her bow and step off the stage, returning to her seat with the brightest smile she could bring about. She loved to sing and that showed both in her voice and her eyes. She wasn't bad at it either. “Girl's got talent, huh?” Mailian smiled down at Sarilann, wondering if the song impressed. Most people were, but Sarilann wasn't the normal male around here.

As time passed, the party faded out. Children became tired and needed to sleep. Parents began cleaning up and preparing for the next day. Nerine was exhausted by this point. She was often pulled to the side for conversation, asked to play by children, or distracted by party events. She sung a few more songs through out the night, choosing a few that were more festive and fun, and was even asked to dance a few times, once or twice by her Father. Finally, as her part in this party ended and everyone was ready to sleep the rest of the night away, she was found helping her drunken Father back to bed. Once he was situated, she wished Sarilann a pleasant sleep and made her way to bed herself.

~ A Few Days Later ~

Days in the village seemed normal and boring as they passed by; the only interesting times for Nerine was when she was able to hold a conversation with Sarilann without the flirtatious interruptions the two often experienced. When this happened, Nerine would merely sigh, stand, and walk off until they would be able to talk again. She was often caught watching him work and help the villagers out and therefore teased about her admiration for him. Nerine smiled at this mostly, but knew that Sarilann would be leaving soon; there was no point in trying any further, which is something the other women began catching onto as well.

Night fell once again on the Enelia village. Nerine lay in bed, dressed in a white lacy nightgown that fell to her knees, her hair drapped back and wound into a braid, like she slept every night. And then the sound came. A horrifying word that spoke only of disaster rang through the village. Those on guard began ringing the bells, but there were only a couple. Nerine woke to the ringing of the bell, very confused. She was not a person who woke easily. She wandered her way downstairs, yawning casually as she glanced out the window. "Wh-What's going on?" she spoke through another yawn as Sarilann stepped over to her.

"There's a bit of danger now. I don't have time to explain, but use this to defend yourself." Nerine was surprised when she was handed a large heavy shield, "U-Um... O-Okay..." she looked down to it, confused and not entirely able to hold it up, but it was better than nothing. Her attention was brought back to the white haired Elven man in front of her as his large hand enveloped her petite shoulder. "Promise me you'll stay safe and won't do anything unbecoming of a beautiful elf." he said. Her words were caught in her throat for a moment, unsure of what to say.

"I... Uh, okay. I-I promise." she nodded, her cheeks flushed red at his compliment, but her eyes drenched in fear for what was to happen. She glanced out the window again, seeing fires lit over her neighbor's and friend's houses. Her heart was breaking with every scream that made it's way to her ear, but she knew nothing of what she could do. Nerine wrapped her small arms aroung his shield and made her way to the back of the house shouting, "Be careful!" to Sarilann as she went off to hide. She made her way to a back ladder that went high into one of the trees. This was the only defensive plan she could remember for her village, hide.