The Eldars

36

Montani finds herself lost in the music. But the feeling of loss doesn't hit her and she allows herself to relax. "It is good that you aren't afraid. We will not harm you."

Montani opens the eyes she didn't even realize were closed. "You're back."

The female smiles, "I've never left. You've just returned to a state where you can see as well as hear me."

"Your music is so beautiful. It's like it's speaking to me and I can almost, but not quite, understand it." Montani says softly, listening to the music rather than the the female representation of the land.

"That's exactly what it's doing. Already you are closer to understanding than any other than the vacar. We are pleased by this. You will be able to do the magic, although not all. Your husband on the other hand can and will be able to do the magic and has the potential to be the greatest magic user since the ancient days when the vacar and eldar worked together." The female smiles sadly. She longs for the time of unity between the races, the time before the jealous and envy ruined what there was.

"Mant can do Vacar magic?" Montani asks incredulously.

The female shakes her head no, "He has not yet been taught. He has only the potential at this time. He is coming and will be worried for you. Encourage him to learn of the vacar ways. He is as key to their return as you are. Without the vacar all the other races will die, some more slowly than others."
 Montani startles at this, "Even the dwarves? Do they even still live?"

"They still live, but they are slowly dying themselves. They need the healing of the land in order to be healed. They too are a part of this fight and must join the alliance even if they don't wish to, if they wish to survive." The representation of the land looks sharply at Montani.

"There are evil ones approaching. The land is unable to kill such a large number off at this time. There is need for your help."

Montani is shocked into immobility at these words but then snaps out of it. She forces herself to ignore the sound of the land and wake up. She finds Mant bending over her in concern.

"Evil ones are coming." Mant sees the look that is reserved for the evil ones and doesn't question her. He helps her sit up and goes for their weapons. They leave their room together.

Teondae meets them at the bottom of the stairs, "What's going on?" He is more than a bit curious as to why they would have their weapons with them.

"Evil ones are coming and Montani wishes to go hunting." Mant says and then continues after thinking a bit, "you might want to keep the other vacar away. Montani won't want to jeopardize the alliance by accidentally harming one of the vacar."

Leean comes into the hall as Mant speaks and grabs his bow at his words. Montani just watches him before she speaks, "Stay out of my way and aim for their eyes."

Leean nods once sharply to show that he understands and follows after them out the door.

Montani fades in and out of view of the two following her. Mant is used to it but Leean isn't. "How..." Leean starts speaking but Mant responds before more words can be spoken. 

"If you don't wish to be dead you will be quiet now. Montani takes hunting the evil ones very seriously. Save your questions for later." Then Mant also starts fading from sight.

Leean decides that he needs to do his own tracking the elven way. He is therefore startled when an arrow goes just in front of him and a crash as the evil one that was about to skewer him falls to the ground.

"Pay attention, Leean. I don't want to have to explain to your father why you died." Montani hisses at him as she makes sure the evil one is dead and retrieves the arrow from its spot in the eye socket.

"Sorry Montani," Leean says holding off the shakes from the near death until this hunt is ended.

Montani just looks at him for a long moment then nods once silently before leaving once more.

By the end of the day more than twenty evil ones lay dead through out the land of the vacar and Montani finally shakes off the blood lust they cause her. Only then does Teondae dare approach her once more. "I have seen your memories and a few incidences where you've killed evil ones, but never did I think that you were capable of this." In truth of the twenty or so evil ones that lay dead throughout the forbidden forest more than half were Montani's.

Montani looks up from her seated position on the ground and gives the Vacar leader a weak smile. "Well now you do. Still interested in the alliance now that you've seen the real me?" Her words were said in jest but her tone is deadly serious.

"Even more now than before. Come, my people will take care of the dead vermin. You need to bathe and refresh yourself. When you are done there will be food waiting for you. Mant and Leean are already inside." Teondae says giving her a hand up.

Montani accepting his hand is easily pulled up. Her muscles need the relaxing heat of a hot bath and so she doesn't demur. They walk together as Teondae escorts her back to his house.

"Teondae, do I scare you now?" Montani asks since the vacar has held himself stiff next to her, unwilling to get too close.

Teondae gives her a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. Then he looks down at the ground, "I'm just glad that there aren't more humans like you, especially back when we retreated from here. My people would've died, I have no doubt about that. I am very grateful that you are a friend, Montani, you would make a horrific foe." Teondae opens the door to his house with these last words.

Montani puts her hand on his arm and stops him, "But I am your friend and you didn't really answer my question."

Teondae avoids her penetrating look for a bit as he tries to put his thoughts into words that he hopes won't offend her. "You terrify me more than I've ever been scared before, Montani. I do value you as a friend, that hasn't changed. But yes, I would be lying if I said anything different, you terrify me."

Montani gives him a small sad smile, "I see. Thank you for being truthful with me. I'll try to stay away from you as much as possible so that I don't make you uncomfortable." Montani says then leaves Teondae and climbs the stairs to her and Mant's room. She hides the tears that she once more feels. Even the scariest people alive are scared of her.

Montani feels herself being wrapped up in strong arms. She allows herself to soak in Mant's love he has for her. He has never seen her as a monster. None of the Eldar ever have.

"I heard, I'm sorry Montani, I know how much that hurts you." Mant says even as he holds her close. Teondae isn't the only one that has pulled away from Montani, he noticed that Leean did too, and if he noticed than Montani noticed as well.