Freya saw one of the guards up ahead and he pulled his sword out and made to play sword fight with her. Laughing she pulled her short sword and made to block his advances and she caught him off guard and flipped his sword out of his hand.

"Hey now! Freya come away and play with me." His raised and lowered his eyebrows comically at her and she grinned and shook her head dramatically. "Nay I shan't. You'll just have to be lonely for all eternity." She said laughing and stuck her tongue out at him playfully before running inside giggling at his antics.

Composing herself as a perfect young lady she went to Sabina's room and knocked and then entered when her maid answered. "Sabina? Are you ready yet? I want to get back before dark so let's go." She peered around the room and laid her eyes on her friend whose maid was struggling with her hair. Walking over to the maid, Freya gave her a look and the young woman gave Freya the adornment for her friend's hair. Freya deftly upswept the hair and smoothly clipped the thing in place. "I wonder if your admirer will show today again." She whispered to Sabina and chuckled.

@kyrisse

Sabina looked at the reflection of her friend, Freya, on the mirror on her dresser and then grinned. She was born the only daughter of the king and queen and had often wondered what it would be like to have a sibling. But her mother had gotten sick after her birth and was told that she could never have a child again. Being born the only heiress to the throne, she was protected and often not allowed to wander off into town. And as a result, she never had any friends her age. She tried, time and again, to befriend the servants in the castle. They were pleasant to her but always treated her with the utmost respect and kept their distance. But when Freya arrived in the castle, everything had changed. She was glad for her company. She treated her like a friend and not just some royalty to be served. And although she was not born in the same class as her, she treated the girl like a sister.

"We have no assurance that there really is an admirer as we have never seen this person face to face, Freya. For all we know, it can just be a curious...fox trying to see if we have any food to offer it," she watched as Freya placed the pretty blue flower in her hair. "However... it would be nice if it were indeed someone, do you agree?" She turned on her seat and looked up at her friend. "And... he or she might be looking at you and not at me," she grinned. "Perhaps it is that boy in town that I caught staring at you."

Freya chuckled. "I think not. Why look at me when there is a princess there to drool over." Taking her friend by the hand and tugging her to her feet she said, "Mother has asked for some specific herbs today so we must look before we swim."

Within a few moments they were passing through the gates of the castle and out into the wooded forest area. Freya made sure to see that they weren't followed. She was carrying a bag strapped to her hip for the herbs and her sword was never far from her hand. Within an hour Freya got that feeling that their admirer was back. Stopping she motioned to Sabina to halt her steps and she pulled her sword out stepping in front of the princess.

"I know you are here. I know you follow us all the time and I figure if you were going to hurt us you would have tried by now. Come out and show yourself!" Freya looked all around them and when she was certain that he wasn't going to show himself she hurried Sabina forward again.

---

Theoduin had indeed been following the girls but at the time that Freya demanded he come out he was already gone ahead. He knew where they were going and he had nothing else to do that particular day. He had heard something and his instincts said the girls were walking into danger. He would do all that he could to save them from trouble if he could do so.

@Kyrisse

Sabina let Freya lead her out of the castle and into the forest. "How is your mother? I should invite her to dine with us in the castle soon. I would love to hear her stories about medicine crafting. I find her knowledge on herbs interesting," she chattered happily, waving to some people they passed by. Most of them stopped and waved back, pleasantly surprised that the princess that had spent most of her life cooped up in the castle would actually take the time to greet them.

"Maybe we should invite that boy in the village as well. But if we do, he might be apprehensive as to why I would summon him," she chuckled and then stopped when Freya called out to their so called admirer. She looked around but didn't see anyone. "Are you sure there's really someone there?" she asked as her friend ushered her forward.

---

Like his cousin, Hatharal had also been watching the two girls and at the same time, kept his eyes on his light skinned kin. Not realizing who it was, he wondered why the elf was there in the first place? Was it simply because he developed an attraction to the Princess that frequented the forest? Or perhaps an attraction to her guard? Or was it something else? Had the elf crossed the magical border to hunt down the olive skinned elves that they had so callously thrown out of their rightful home?

From his hidden perch on a particularly leafy tree, he glared at the light skinned elf as he walked into view. Despite being in a place devoid of magic, Hatharal discovered at an early age that he could still use magic even outside the border of Ilyra. And matching the color of his skin, his magic involved stealth and a very adept manipulation of shadow and darkness. He used it now to camouflage his presence to even the elf.

Should he attack? Eliminate the threat once and for all?

Theoduin had gone ahead to check something out that he had noticed the last time he was watching the girls. He believed he was not the only one watching them. This time he was going to make sure they were alone. Slowing his pace considerably he appeared to hear something. Listening to locate the person or animal he felt like he was being watched quite possibly by another elf. There were only a couple of races that could be as silent in hunting and they were all elven. Hearing the girls not too far in the distance. He had to make a decision. Show himself or not. He slipped back into the forest background and waited for the girls to get within range. He waited till the Princess walked past him and he walked silently out of the overhang of the fallen tree and right behind her. Freya turned just as he popped into view and she had a sword between him and the princess before he could say boo.

"So are you the one who has been following us on our outings?" Freya's senses were on alert and she knew elves were masters with bows and arrows and a few were with swords as well. She was well aware that the elf if he so chose to fight her would likely make mincemeat out of her in no time flat, even though she was considered to be good enough to fight in battles with her sword. "What do you want?" She asked Theoduin. She heard something behind her in the forest and she was really hoping it was friendly. Looking at Sabina she was beginning to feel like she failed her.

"Yes, I have been keeping an eye on you both when I am in the area. I heard something else in the forest today and I would walk with you as a protector nothing more or less." Freya appeared to feel just slightly less on edge but she wasn't backing down. She knew that elves were generally honest and fair but there was always the one that was less than the rest in that respect.

Freya poked him in the ribs with her sword and warned him. "If you harm the princess I'll kill you where you stand."

Theoduin realized this guard/friend of the princess' was a little spitfire and he grimaced as she poked him in the ribs. "At your service ladies. My name is Theoduin."

@Kyrisse

Sabina turned around just as Freya stood between her and an elf. She blinked. She had always hoped that elves were real but she never imagined that she'd actually see one up close. From behind her friend's back, she peered at the male elf, noting how elegant he carried himself and how handsome he was.

"Yes, I have been keeping an eye on you both when I am in the area. I heard something else in the forest today and I would walk with you as a protector nothing more or less."

Protective too. Although for what reason I cannot quite figure out. The forest had always been safe. She thought to herself. Besides, she was sure that Freya was more than enough to protect her. And while she wasn't as proficient with the sword as her friend was, she can hold her own in a fight. And she was pretty good at throwing daggers, two of which were hidden in the folds of her skirt.

When Theoduin introduced himself, she smiled at him, thinking to herself how elegant his name sounded as well. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Theoduin. I am Sabina Parrish and this is my friend, Freya Miner. I..." she paused and ended up staring at him. She blinked when she realized what she was doing. "I... apologize for staring. I have always been taught that elves are mere figments of imagination..." she explained hastily, mentally chastising herself for acting so silly.

---

Hatharal stared at the light skinned elf, the hatred he had harbored all these years almost making him step out into the open and right then and there launching himself at him. But there was no sense involving species that had nothing to do with the conflict he had with his kin. True, humans were known to be selfish and they were part of the reason why he had been casted out, being suspected of being a bastard half breed. But he had never believed the rumors that had surrounded his birth, believing what his parents always told him. Besides...

His eyes flickered towards the Princess' guard, lingering at her for a few seconds.

Theoduin smiled at the princess and asked Freya since she was the obvious guard for the princess. "Would you like me to take up the rear or lead in the front?" Freya gave him a look when she saw both him and Sabina had blushed just a little too much.

Freya pointed towards the front. "Well since I don't know you I'll take the rear. Besides you might get distracted staring at the princess too much." She smirked at his expression.

Theoduin had trouble not smiling at her comment as that was likely what he would be doing if in the rear. She noticed that he grinned and nodded. "As you wish. Are we picking herbs today as well?"



"Aye I am, keep an eye out for the abscess root and aloe vera leaves today. It has been requested. Mother said it is urgent on the abscess root. The more the better." Freya said while lurking around a tree that was similar but not quite the right one. Disappointed it was the wrong plant she moved slower than the princess and Theoduin. She kept glancing up and when she found an abscess plant she got down on her knees and started to dig it up carefully. She found three more plants within a few feet and she couldn't see the princess any longer nor Theoduin but her instincts told her that he was not a threat to them. She was intent on getting the roots up and into her bag.

Freya stood up and stretched her back. Wincing she felt the crick in her back as she bent forward to grab the bag and tie it to her waist. She stood up and sensed that she was not alone. Pulling her sword quietly she headed forward keeping her eyes open and staying alert as she did. Freya was well aware that the elf had gone off ahead with Sabina so it wasn't them and this person was as light footed as Theoduin. Another elf? How likely were they to be stalked by two elves? Her heartbeat was pounding in her chest suddenly. She had the feeling she was prey and this was not sitting well with her at all.

@Kyrisse

Sabina hummed a tune as she began collecting herbs Freya's mother needed. While some of the nobles back in the castle would think that it was menial work, she actually quite enjoyed it. She stopped when she could no longer hear Freya's voice. She turned back, realizing that she had wandered off a little too far and noted that only Theoduin was with her. Her cheeks flushed pink.

"I... Perhaps we should head back to where we left Freya," she suggested.

---

Hatharal narrowed his eyes at the two human females as he watched them converse with the light skinned elf. Was it human nature to readily trust in a being clearly different from them and who, until now, they thought merely as fiction? And why would an elf who appeared to be of noble birth be interested in humans? He watched as his kin smiled at the human princess perhaps a little too much and his thoughts turned back to his original assumptions. It appeared the the elf was truly enamored by the human. And if he would hazard a guess, he'd wager that none in Ilyra knew that he was here.

How fortunate for me. He smirked.

As soon as the Princess and the elf stepped beyond the trees and out of sight, the drow dropped down from his perch on the tree branch, landing soundlessly on his feet. The female guard of the Princess had her head turned away from him, making it easy for him to pull his sword from its scabbard, bat away her sword and point its tip at her jugular.

"How foolish of your kind to readily trust in an elf," he said in his deep baritone.

Freya felt rather than heard his movements and she turned, her neck pinned from forward movement already by the point of his sword. She reared back and ducked shoving forwards as she tackled him like a small football player. His sword flew out of his hands and he landed on his back with her atop him. Freya held him where he was with her dagger over his heart. Breathing hard she finally took a look at her assaulter.

"I have no problem with you so why are you attacking me and the princess?" Her arm was poised to slam down over his heart if need be. "Did someone send you after her? Who?" Freya demanded as she moved herself slightly as to further the distance between them physically.

Freya was afraid that if she moved too much she would feel more of him than she had intended to. She felt more than she bargained for as it was. Her body was sending signals all over her mind about what this elf was making her feel. Realizing that her face ws only a couple of inches above his and her knee slid between his and up slowly. It came to rest gently, for the time being firmly, against his crotch. "Answer me, I don't want to hurt you but I will if I have to." Doing her best to ignore her own pheromones she gripped the dagger harder as she realized he was quite a good looking elf. "I don't trust anyone, elf or not unless you prove yourself."



Theoduin smiled at the princess and pulled her to the large boulder type of rocks near them. "Or we could wait right here and let her finish with the roots and catch up. Come on."

Lifting her at her tiny waist he lifted her onto the nearest of the rocks. He climbed up next to her and gave her a flirty smile. Theoduin didn't try to hide his feelings towards the princess anymore. He kept hold of her hand and questioned his own mind. What was he doing? She was a princess and he was just an elf. He loved the softness of her hands in his and he didn't relish the idea of sharing the few minutes alone with her that he had. He raised his eyes and when his were met with her stunning blue irises he just sat there watching as if dumbfounded by her beauty.

@Kyrisse

"I... uh... yes, I suppose we can do that," Sabina said shyly as she felt herself being lifted up onto the rock. She looked at her hand that was still in the elf's and felt both thrilled and confused by it. Why was he keeping her hand in his? And why am I allowing him to? she thought belatedly. She looked up and she felt her face heat up more when she found him staring at her. She stared back for a few seconds before she averted her gaze.

"F-Freya sure is taking long," she stammered.

---

"I do not need to answer you nor do I need to prove myself to you. You are not my King nor are you my friend. And I do not think you have the skill to do me harm, human," came Hatharal's deep baritone not from the elf pinned underneath Freya but from the nearby trees. The dark skinned elf that the human guard thought she'd pinned down turned black and seemed to seep into the ground like some sort of black ink. "Do not think you can take me down so easily," came his voice again despite not being visible physically. "I, however, admire your courage and tenacity to attack someone you have never encountered before." Something flitted by in the shadows of the trees but it was gone even before Freya could make out what it was.

And everything became silent again.

Frustrated as all get out Freya felt the fake him disappearing leaving her on her knees. She looked up at him and glared at him. He was playing with her! This made her angry at him and even moreso with herself. She needed to be prepared for these types of things. If he had wanted to hurt her he certainly could have. She grabbed up her roots and headed onwards after the princess and Theoduin.

She couldn't deny that there had been something there. She shook her head. There couldn't be he in the trees she had been on top of a ...a what? He had been real at least for part of it. What the hell kind of elf could be corporeal one moment and then air the next? Her senses all stayed on high alert as she listened carefully for movement and she stopped for a moment.

Hearing Theoduin speaking to Sabina she walked up to them from behind a tree. Seeing he was holding the princess' hand she glared at him. "Hey! Let go of her or I'll make you!" Her pride had been hurt a little bit. She didn't like knowing that the other elf had played her.



Looking up to see Freya popping out from behind a tree he dropped Sabina's hand and stepped away about a foot. "You seem rattled. Are you okay? Did something happen out there?" He was concerned. Not only was she suddenly a little bit upset she was covered in grass and leaves from her encounter in the woods.

"I'm fine!" She snapped. Theoduin smiled at Sabina and took over leading them to the spring that they liked to swim at. Freya brought up the rear again but this time she was more alert.

@Kyrisse

Sabina jumped at the sound of Freya's voice, almost disappointed that the elf let go of her hand. But she had no time to worry about that when she saw the look on Freya's face when she turned her to face her. The princess would have asked if she was okay but Theoduin beat her to it. She watched her friend's face and her actions, knowing that something did happen. And that something bothered her even though she said she was fine. She had known her too long to be fooled by her words.

And so as the three of them continued towards the spring, Sabina fell into step with Freya. "You might have made the elf think that you're fine but you can't fool me. What happened?" she asked in a low whisper.

Freya sighed and kept walking as she spoke quietly not wanting Theoduin to hear her failure. "There is another elf that has been trailing us. He is -" She furrowed her brows. "...a different kind of elf. He has powers of a more, dark nature." She conveniently left out the part about her attraction to this elf.

Freya replayed the event in her mind and she couldn't shake off the feeling of irritation that she has lost to him somehow. Up ahead she could see the swimming hole and she glanced at Theoduin and at Sabina and silently she cursed the elf for being male.

@Kyrisse