Great Unicorn private

King Meras was sitting in a chair by the fireplace in his room, shawl draped across his shoulders, a fire blazing in the hearth as the old faeman stared into the flames. He turned as the door creaked open and his son peeked in. Meras had a feeling something had happened. Usually his daughter came to spend the evenings with him, but he hadn't seen Serafina since the morning.

"Torren...?" he croaked out softly, his violet eyes watching the younger faeman.

Eoron sighed as he looked around the garden. Even the beauty of this peaceful place couldn't ease his restless spirit. Eoron moved about the gardens, then went back into the castle, determined to head for the library in an attempt to distract himself. As he walked, he passed Serafina's room and paused at the door. He wondered if the fae princess was still awake and raised a hand to knock, but then thought better of it. It was late, and he was sure she had seen more than enough of him already. He sighed as he frowned at the door, before quietly moving on again.

Torren entered the room and shut the door quietly. He then walked up to his father and sat in the chair across from him. "Father, King Eoron....he has Sera." Torren said sadly. "It's my fault. I should have never let her go to the meadow." He lowered his head. He was worried about his sister.

Serafina bolted up in bed gasping for air. She was shaking badly because of the dreams.

Meras frowned sadly at what his son said. That was worse than what he had expected. But at least he knew his daughter was still alive... Eoron would not kill a valuable hostage. But what did he want from them...? Why ... his beautiful daughter...? After Eorn, Eoron's father had killed his beloved wife, Meras had kept up the front of being in charge of things for the sake of his children, especially Serafina, who had witnessed the whole sad, messy affair. But he was never the same since. And now, it seemed, he had lost another thing that made his life complete, dying a little more in side. He looked at his son, who had become a strong pillar of support. But the old faeman could see cracks in the pillar. Cracks that would need to be repaired before the pillar crumbled to dust.

Meras leaned forwards in his seat, a gnarled hand reaching forward and gently laying it on top of one of Torren's.

"It is not your fault, Torren." he said softly. "If anything, the fault is mine for allowing your sister to go. But now is not time to play the blame game. We need to ensure that we get your sister back, safe and sound."

Meras' eyes burned with anger.

"If he has harmed a hair on your sister's head, I shall deal with him as I dealt with his father." the old man promised, a cough wracking his thin, frail frame. "I promise you, Tor."

As Serafina sat up, a small, frightened shape scurried back to hide in the shadows, bright, light blue eyes gleaming in the darkness.

Torren looked up at his father and gently took his father's hand in his. "I'm planning on getting her back father, and you are not to blame for this. I guess if we tried to keep her in, she'd find a way out anyway." Torren loved his father and had learned to be a kind and loving king just like him. He didn't want to lose him.

Serafina saw the shape hurrying to hide. "Wait, I'm sorry. I didn't me to scare you. You can come out." She said softly.

Meras smiled, placing his second hand on top of Torren's which held his other hand. Pride burned in his violet eyes as he regarded his son.

"Yes, you are right..." Meras agreed with a small laugh. "Serafina has too much of your mother in her to stay in one place too long."

The old king's eyes grew sad. That was the reason the queen, Serafina and some of the other fae had been out in the meadow that fateful day. The Queen had had enough of being confined to the Keep in the winter, saying it was unhealthy for the children. Meras had let her and Serafina go, but kept Torren, whom he had decided to start training in the art of archery, since he had decided the lad was strong enough to string his own bow.

At Torren's words, the old foeman's eyes grew guarded.

"And how do you plan on freeing your sister?" he asked him, fear evident in his eyes.

As good and kind and strong as Torren was, the old king wondered if he wasn't perhaps too reckless sometimes.

At Serafina's words, the little shadow slowly walked forward, to reveal a small fae child. The little girl blinked her light blue eyes as she silently gazed at Serafina.

"That's the part I'm having trouble with. I don't want to be stupid about saving her. But then again, Serafina might be able to free herself." Torren said as he looked at his father.

"Hi there, what's your name?" Serafina asked softly as she watched the girl.

The little girl blinked her eyes.

"Umi." she said quietly. "I'm called Umi... who are you...? Why are you here...? Are you going to be trapped here like the rest of us...?"

The little girl's clothes were shabby and disheveled. her left wrist and ankle were manacled, as if she were used to being chained to a wall. She was barefoot and on her right wrist... was a small bracelet.

Meras chuckled lightly at Torren's admittance that he hadn't thought of how he'd free his sister, then nodded his head as Torren said Serafina may free herself.

"Yes, you may be right..." Meras said, then frowned. "But I cannot help but wonder if darker forces aren't at work here..."

"Hi Umi, I'm Serafina. I'm here because I was protecting a friend of mine. And I guess I'm here to stay." She said to the girl. "You must be cold and hungry." She said softly as she waved her hand. New clothes appeared on the girl, along with some shoes and bandages for her wounds. She then held out a hand and a plate of food appeared. She knew the king would be mad at her, but she couldn't let the girl starve.

"What do you mean father?" Torren asked worriedly.

Umi gasped in amazement at her new shoes and clothes, although her manacles and bracelet were still there. Her eyes widened with glee and she clapped her hands eagerly as a plate of food appeared in Serafina's hand.

"Wow! You're still allowed to do magic! You're lucky!" she squealed, then eyed the plate longingly, but didn't dare take it without permission.

Meras sighed and sat back in his chair, looking weary.

"I've heard some rather unpleasant rumors in the recent time, Torren." he finally said. "Rumors which may make sense of recent events."

The old foeman's eyes were serious as he regarded his son.

"Up until 5/10 years ago, our kingdom, and Eoron's, lived in relative peace." he said. "However, events over the recent years has put an end to that."

His eyes grew dark.

"Who would benefit from a war between us and the humans?"

"The King can't stop me from doing magic. I'm the fae princess." Serafina said with a soft smile. She then handed the plate to Umi. "It's for you."

Torren frowned and said, "No one would benefit from it." He then looked thoughtful and added, "But Serafina might be just the person to change the human king's heart and mind."

Umi didn't need telling twice. She quickly took the plate from Serafina with a hasty thanks and then sat on the floor, shoveling the food into her mouth. She shook her head at Serafina's words about being able to do magic and swallowed heavily.

"It's not because you're the princess." she said softly, holding up her right wrist. "It's because you don't have this..."

Meras chuckled at what he said about Serafina changing Eoron's heart and mind.

"If anyone could do that, it would be your sister." he agreed. "She's too stubborn to quit."

But he frowned.

"However, you'd be wrong when you say no one would benefit from a war." he said softly. "There are enemies who hound our borders... enemies you haven't heard or seen for many years... not since you were a very small boy."

He looked at Torren.

"Do you remember your time as a captive, Torren?"

"What is it?" Serafina asked softly as she sat on the floor in front of Umi.

Torren rubbed his wrists absently and said, "I only remember certain things from when I was little."

Alia looked down and saw Darling in the paddock adjoining her stall.

Darling...? Are you alright? she asked quietly.

The way his son rubbed his wrists was not lost on the old king.

"Yes... the mind is a fragile thing, so it needs to protect itself." he said softly. "Often it removes memories it does not want us to remember... but nothing can stop those from surfacing while we sleep..."

Meras looked at his son.

"I won't lie, Torren... there have been precious few times I would have willingly given up my kingdom... since I believe, for the greater good, sometimes a sacrifice must be made. One fae cannot be held more precious than any other." he said. "Not even my kin."

The old man's eyes wavered.

"But before I am a King, I am a faeman... and a father." he said softly. "Well do I recall that time... Serafina was not yet cutting teeth. The Drow attacked us, seemingly out of nowhere... their attack pointless. It was only after they retreated and your mother was encountered unconscious on the floor, the guards slain and your sister bawling her lungs out that I discovered the truth of the attack, for you were nowhere to be found."

His expression hardened.

"They were wanting to expand their own lands... wanting power over fairies as well as the dark elves. They demanded I forfeit my right to rule, or they'd start sending me you- in pieces. I told myself I couldn't give in to their demands... that one fae wasn't worth the suffering of all... even my own son. But I couldn't abandon you. So I agreed. And went to meet them..." the old foeman's eyes then grew sad. "All would've been over for us... had it not been for Eorn. He was a good, honest and true man... before he lost himself and went mad with grief and the pain of loss. Hard pressed as he was, driving the Drow from his own lands, when he heard what had befallen you, he reacted as if it were his own son and came to our aid. You are still here... because of Eoron's father."

The old man's eyes darkened again.

"I've heard disturbing rumors." he said again. "It seems the dark elves are not as gone as we thought."

Umi held her wrist against her chest and shook her head sadly.

"I-I can't tell you that..." she said. "If I do... I'll di-!"

You can tell her, little one. Eoron's voice echoed in her mind. I give you permission to tell her about the bracelet and why you wear it only. No more, no less.

He had been sitting in his library, deep in thought and absentmindedly rubbing his ring as he was wont to when thinking and he had heard and 'seen' the whole encounter between Serafina and Umi.

Umi nodded slightly, then held her wrist back to Serafina.

"This is a Bloodoath Bracelet." she said quietly. "It's the mark of a blood slave. Any who wears this is one. We cannot take it off, or we'll die. Nor can we speak of it... without the permission of the wielder of the Blood contract."

"Father, I wouldn't have blamed you for trying to save our people. I just hope the dark elves don't try and team up with Eoron." Torren said worriedly.

Serafina looked at the bracelet and realized Alia wore one just like it. She frowned sadly and knew if her brother found out it would kill him. Serafina sighed and said, "That's horrible. No one should be treated like this."

Meras frowned darkly at Torren's words. Yes, the old king was sure that Torren would have accepted his fate, even as young as he had been. For even then, the boy had shown the makings of a true princeling... and he had grown into a fine young man who would make a good and just leader... when the time came. However, the latter part of his words sat ill with the old king.

"Yes... I fear that is their plan." he said softly. "I've heard that over the last few years countless lies and rumors about us have spread amongst the humans, clearly in an attempt to discredit us... make us seem the enemy.... Blind the humans to the true enemy."

Umi smiled sadly.

"It's our lot in life..." she said softly. "Most of us alive were born into this slavery and have known no other way."

Eoron swapped his hands and the room faded from his 'sight' returning the library to his view.

"Nobody should be treated like this, huh...?" he said softly, remembering how he had confronted his father shortly before he had taken over the blood contract.

He had yelled the same thing at his father and Eorn had back handed the young prince so that he physically flew back several feet and into a stone pillar of the throne room.

The Fae family before them had attempted to run and had been recaptured. Eorn had the entire family, father, mother and mewling babe, cut down in front of the boy. Eorn had then turned his crazed, angry eyes on his son.

Do not ever show mercy! he had snapped at the frightened young teen. Mercy is nothing less than weakness. Something others can exploit to control you! Do not give others that control!

He had gestured to the slain family.

These fae are our slaves! Descendants of traitors to their own kind! he had said. If I had allowed them to leave, it would have shown weakness to the other slaves, they would have rebelled! It would have shown weakness to our enemies who would over run us!

Eorn stalked over and pulled his son to his feet.

A king can never show weakness... only strength! If you wish to be king, you should learn this now! the king had then turned and walked away after giving orders for the dead fae to be hung where the rest could see them and for them to receive half rations.

At the doorway to the throne room, Eorn had once again turned to Eoron, who was watching the soldiers do as the king had said with guarded eyes.

Oh, and Eoron. the boy had looked over at his father, shrinking from his cold fury. If you ever question me again before others, it'll be the last thing you ever do. Know your place!

Eoron glared at the fire in the hearth of the library fireplace. He had done as his father had said. He had hid his weakness, he had gone against who he truly was to be the man he had become, the king his father had wanted him to be. He shook his head as there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

A petrified servant peeked in.

"I know it's late sire... but he wouldn't take no for an answer-!"

Shoved out of the way of the lean dark-skinned elf who entered, the servant glanced at Eoron who nodded and the servant scuttled away. He glanced up at the Drow cooly as it settled into the chair opposite Eoron's without being asked to.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of one of the darklings coming to see me at this time of night...?"

"I should have new guards with fresh eyes at the posts. I just hope the dark elves don't find out Eoron has Sera." Torren added worriedly. He stood and said, "Try and get some sleep father."

Serafina's frowned deepened as she looked at Umi. She then felt uneasy and said quietly, "hide Umi. Keep quiet and hide. Whatever you hear or see just stay quiet, ok?"

Meras nodded.

"I will..." he said. "When you're done, you should too, Tor. I have a feeling we will all need our strength..."

Umi shook her head franticly.

"No, Princess, this way!"

Grabbing Serafina's hand, the little slave girl quickly pressed a stone in the wall opening a secret passage and pushing the princess through, before following.

The Drow smiled slightly, his sharp teeth visible.

"As welcoming as always, King Eoron." Malak said. "I thought we were friends."

"Friends don't keep each other distracted while their men search their homes." Eoron said coldly, cutting to the chase. "What are you looking for."

Malak laughed, a cold sound that made the hair on Eoron's neck stand up.

"I see you're still as astute as you were the last time we met." he said. "Well, then. I'm looking for the little Fae Princess. Word is, you have her."

Torren nodded and said, "Goodnight father. If you need anything just give a call." He kissed his father's forehead then left the room. Torren sent new guards to the posts.

Serafina looked down at Umi and was about to ask her something when she heard the hidden door open up behind them. "Umi run, I'll be right behind you. Go." She gave the girl a gentle push.

Alia frowned as she rubbed her bracelet. It felt hot, almost like it wanted to burn her. Something was wrong... something bad was happening!

Not needing to be told twice, the little fae grabbed Serafina's arm and ran, dragging her behind her a few feet so she was sure the princess was behind her as she ran down the tunnel. The Drow warriors were right behind them.

Eoron glared at Malak.

"I don't know what you're talking about... but you are sorely mistaken." he said coldly. "I do not have the Fae princess here! Now leave!"

Malak grinned.

"You used to be a better liar, Eoron." he sneered. "I have it on the good authority of my informant that she is here!"

Eoron glared at the Drow.

"Who's this in formant?"

"I am."

Turning to look behind him, Eoron met the apologetic eyes of his captain of the guard. A man he had thought was his friend.