Sweet Rebellion

Chapter 4

Lucian watched her as she left. She was so beautiful. She was tanned from working in the sun. Her hair was choppy, falling all the way to her narrow waist. It was raven black and all the tips were white. Whiter than even his. It seemed to glow. The royal blue dress she was wearing accented her skin so well that it took his breath away. Especially with the way that the corset top and flowing skirt hugged her body, showing off all of the lovely, jaw dropping curves of her body. But, what really knocked him on his knees were those hypnotizing lavender eyes. Those eyes that change color with her mood. The happier she became, he noticed, the brighter her eyes got. The more upset she got, the darker they became.

He was so grateful for the early morning darkness, and the shade of the trees near the river. The longer he could go without putting his cloak on, the better. It was summer and just too hot to wear the fur trimmed cloak for very long. But, his eyes were just too sensitive to go much longer without it. The sun usually got to his eyes enough to make them tear even with the oversized hood. He didn't even want to think about what kind of pain he faced when he left them completely exposed to the sun's wrath.

His skin was sensitive as well, but he found that as he forced it over the years, his skin grew a tolerance to the light of the sun. His eyes however, just would not gain any kind of tolerance. But, because of the tolerance his skin built, he was able to move about in the daylight, and even wear sleeveless armor with gauntlets to protect his lower arms from injury. It also allowed for a fuller range of motion while fighting and hunting.

He continued removing his armor and then proceeded to wade out into the water. He waded until the water came up to his chest. He then let his feet come up off the bottom and he simply floated in the river, relaxing his worries away. The water was so refreshing on his skin after being under the heat of his cloak for most of the morning already. It also helped relieve some of the stresses that came with being a dark elf. He was considered an outcast by everyone except by his sister. Even his own people considered him and his younger sister Khelek outcasts because of the paths that their parents had taken. His kind were horrible people. They were easily angered. Killed for no reason, and most cared only for themselves. The had no care for even their families leading to many deaths and the dark elves becoming a dwindling species.

But, there was one thing that he just could not figure out. So many people see the darker skin and begin running for their lives. Why didn't she? Sure, she was slightly spooked, but he was a strange man that she didn't know, and she seemed so young. That made him think a bit. Just how old was this girl? He had to make sure he asked her that.

But, that thought was replaced by that burning question of why? Lucian couldn't even figure out why it mattered so much. The fact was still that she hadn't. Even knowing what he was and the reputation of his species. In fact, she had actually said that she wanted to continue talking with him, and even see him again.

He couldn't believe it. At long last. After 421 years of life, someone outside of his own species had actually shown him a little respect.

After a while, Lucian decided to make his way out of the river and back to his things to write the letter to his new friend. He pulled out his quill, already filled with the pigment mixture he used for ink, and a piece of paper. He sat back on the rock and began to write.

My dear Kielo,

I offer to you my deepest apologies for causing the tension between your mother and you. I sincerely hope that you were able to make it home before more trouble was stirred. I must say I find it very honorable that you respect your mother despite her faults during this hard time in your lives. I hope someday that this all passes and you find the strength to forgive her.

I wish we could have spent a little more time together today so that we could get to know a little more about each other. However, I guess these letters will just simply have to do for now. I promise you that we will find a way to spend time together. And, without getting you into trouble. Hopefully.

You know, a thought went through my mind after you left me this morning. I was... Just how old are you my dear? That is, if you don't mind sharing that information with me.

Well my dear Kielo, I must cut this particular letter short as the sun is becoming too bright for my all too sensitive eyes. I look forward to reading your reply, and most of all, seeing you again very soon.

Until next time my sweet flower,

Lucian Morthil

When he was finished, he folded the paper to fit into the small nook in the rock. He then stood from his perch and lifted the slab of rock from its resting place revealing the small space. He placed the letter and then put the slab back where it belonged.

Lucian then began to replace his armor, piece by piece. His mind flooded with thoughts of his lovely flower. Once he had all of his armor on, he swung on his cloak and pulled the large hood up onto his head to shield his sensitive eyes from the strong, late morning sun. The cloak was deep blue with the fur of his first successful kill Lucian had ever gotten while hunting. The cloak made him look even more dangerous and menacing a man than earlier when he had come up on Kielo, sitting there on the bank of the river, crying her poor little heart out. It broke the dark elf's own heart thinking about seeing her cry like that.

He had been standing in the trees watching her for at least ten minutes before he had to intervene. She had been nearly done crying when she pulled her knees to her chest and suddenly began crying even harder. When he had seen that, he knew he had to find a way to stop her tears. Though he didn't know just what it was that compelled him so much. And, he hadn't planned on fear being the way to make them stop.

Lucian had just gotten the last of his equipment back on when he suddenly heard a wolf howl. He looked past it at first because it was a normal occurrence in the woods. Wolves normally howl when they are separated from the rest of the pack, and it seemed as if the howl would never end.

As soon as Lucian knew something was out of the ordinary, he hurried towards the sound. His cloak flowing behind him as he ran. As he got closer, his adrenaline pumped harder and harder. Finally, he reached the source of the howls. He slowed down the closer he got to make sure he was not walking into some kind of trap, and to keep from spooking the animal and further.