Time Of Reckoning

Chapter 1.

"Wake up, cousin, it's time to get readyyyy...!"

A long groan pulls from Mel's chest as she rolls on to her side to face away from Shianni's voice. "No." The elf grumbled, a mean sneer pulling at her scarred lips as she pulled the covers tighter over herself.

Yet her cousin only snorted, and Mel could *visualize* the amused smirk she was probably wearing in that moment. "I bugged Uncle Cyrion so I could be the one to tell you; Your groom? Nelaros? He's here. Early."

"WHAT?!" The blond whipped around, silver eyes wide with shock and outrage. "No, not yet!- I'm not even finished with the River Gang. I can't lave yet!" Already, she was up, pushing past her younger cousin to rummage through her bunker.

However *all* of her weapons and armor had been removed and replaced with Mother's leather boots and her wedding dress.

Upper lip curling in disgust, Mel scoffed and glared a Shianni who only shrugged. "What? Don't look at me! I know not to touch your shit." Yawning, the redhead began to look through her own things, pulling out her only nice dress. Mel still hadn't saved up enough to get her a new one.

Straightening up, Mel grabbed the old wedding dress before walking over to the fireplace. She completely ignored her Father who wore a gentle smile- Which was quickly extinguished when she tosses the fabric in to the flames and turned to him, crossing her arms. "I'm leaving. Today. And you've only yourself to blame for pushin' *every* boundary that I set. Tell me where my things are or I'll burn the house down too while I'm at it."

Cyrion frowned, blue eyes sad and disappointed. Like he'd somehow expected her to react differently. "So you wish to remain a child for the rest of your life? Melyna, I've alre-"

The younger elf threw her hands up in the air, utterly exasperated. "I *told* you to stop callin' me that. I don't understand why you can't just *listen!"* Rubbing her sleepy face, Mel pulled up a floorboard that looked a little too crooked- And low-and-behold; There was her gear. She didnt wait to start putting it all on over her night clothes, taking special care when her fingers grazed over Fang, her mother's dagger. Still, her movements were practiced and quick, it was clear she'd been training.

When caught off guard it was imperative that you be able to get your gear on as quick as possible. Not only that, be able to take it off and hide the fact that you've been out all night from nosey fathers-

Of course, *said* father shook his head and sat down at the table, watching Mel with clear disapproval. "Your name is Melyna. I understand that Adaia came up with the first half but we both agreed upon it. Whether you like it or not, I played a part in raising you and bringing you in to this world, Melyna."

"Yeah. By showing me exactly what *not* to do. Goodbye, Cyrion. Love you Shianni." Mel huffed, sheathing the blade before having fully clothed in nearly the blink of an eye. Already, she was headed out the door, doing her best to smooth out her face. It wasn't working though, Mel had *always* sucked at hiding her anger.

Yet Shianni didn't seem to have gotten the memo, her younger cousin running out after the blond with furrowed brows. "You don't even want to go and meet him? Give him a chance?"

Mel actually *laughed* at that, the elf shaking her head in a *slightly* sadistic sense of amusement. "Oh, I'll give him a chance, alright. A chance to *run.*"

Shianni clearly did *not* like how her cousin went from seething to scheming so fast.

-

"You're Nelaros?"

The tall, scrawny blond elf turned to Mel with a look of pleased shock. A deep blush quickly washed over his pale face as he nodded and took a step closer. "I- Yes! You must be Mely-"