Darkest Light

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Kana smiled back at Elidi and his fingers brushed against her own for a stolen moment before he continued working with Darkstep's saddle. He barely seemed to notice how his fingers fumbled with little grace or how long it was taking him to complete a task he was usually very swift and proficient at. He was much too busy thinking about Elidi's question to pay his body any heed. He frowned, thoughtful and then curses as the small strap he'd been adjusting got tangled. Kana sighed, admitting defeat for a moment as he stilled and turned his face to the Light Elf.

"Do you think it might be wiser to do it when your mother is around?" From what he'd seen, Thorontur was calmer, more reasonable when his Queen was present and something like this...Kana would much prefer the King calm. Very calm.

He sighed again, running his hand back through his damp hair and glanced to where said King and Prince were. They'd been kind to him, fair, had trusted him with Elidi's safety and even now they didn't raised a brow when he stayed so close to their daughter and sister. He didn't like keeping secrets from them.

"Or maybe we should just tell them tonight." The reaction couldn't be any better or worse no matter where they were, right?
 
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Elidi's eyes glanced between Kana's face and his saddle, and when he finally gave up, she smiled and gently moved him aside so she could finish what he started. She still looked to him every once in a while though, her ears tuning to his voice so that was mostly what she heard. She smiled and chuckled a bit as she tightened the strap under Darkstep's belly, patting the furry flesh before finishing the saddle.

"I think it would be," she agreed, watching as he ran fingers through his damp white hair. (( I'm pretty sure I left Ascal at Eromas to protect Nakiasha. .-. )) She looked to her father and brother, and then back to Kana.

"We can wait until we get back to Eromas; I'd feel better with my mother there. However, if we decide on that, I think we should stop laying with each other during the night..." she bit her inner lip. "If we cannot do that, though... we should tell him and Hasterien officially tonight."
 
(( Oh, sorry! My blunder...))

Kana thought about what she said, smiling a little to see she'd finished his task for him, and he grabbed Darkstep's mane as the stallion attempted to step away subtly and make his escape. Kana knew the horse too well to allow it and the stallion snorted to himself when he felt the resistance to his clever plan, stilling again. Ekanath had been reacting on autopilot, though, his mind on the topic at hand and he finally spoke, quiet.

"We should wait to tell your whole family together." It would be the proper, the nicer thing to do. To let her mother hear it firsthand, to look Ascal in the eye when he spoke to all of them, to definitely have someone to mediate between him and Thorontur, for Hasterien to feel comfortable in a familiar environment. Yes, they should wait. It would be happier for Elidi that way, too and above everything else, he wanted her to be happy.

He smiled, tapping her on the nose briefly, affectionately. "I will live a few nights without you. We do have the rest of our lives, yes?"
 
(( It's okay. [: I was just letting you know! ))

Elidi smiled a bit at the Dark Elf's and his horse's maneuvers, liking the fact that they knew each other so well and that Darkstep had such a personality. She didn't understand when people couldn't see that animals had feelings and smarts just like Elves and other beings had. But for now, she didn't dwell on it, her golden eyes looking back to Kana.

She smiled at his answer and nodded, agreeing with him already. She also thought it'd be the nicer and proper thing to do, and it'd definitely be better to have at least one mediator there. She scrunched her nose playfully again, chasing Ekanath's finger when he pulled away and biting at it unsuccessfully before grinning at his answer. "All our lives," she promised. And then she gave him a loving, knowing look and went back to her own horse, wondering how everyone would react to such news of their daughter and sister getting married. Especially before any of her older siblings. And with a Dark Elf. But her Dark Elf.
 
------

Three days later saw them at Eromas and Kana had never thought he'd be grateful to see the city, but he was; immensely. He was beyond exhausted and was tired of pretending he wasn't. He'd not slept for the last two nights. He said nothing to Elidi of it and when the nightmares got bad something in his subconscious made him wake before he could alarm Elidi. So Kana didn't sleep. He wasn't going to say anything about it, though, as he and the Light Princess had agreed to play it safe until they told her family and he was not about to go back on that.

So the thought of finally being able to share the news and then sleep...was incredibly appealing. So was the lake. He was starting to feel sick with the heat by this point and Eluchon even noted it when Kana started snapping at him for little reason whatsoever. The Dark Elf didn't feel well and the guard was sympathetic, having gotten a large dose of discomfort going through the mountains to the goblin city.

Even now he watched his friend - and they were fast becoming that - with worry that hadn't really left, but Kana was watching Elidi. She was home now and he knew she would be thrilled by that fact. It was enough to make him happy, to make him smile.
 
The Light Princess slept, but hardly. She tossed and turned within the night and only slept for intervals of time. Elidi knew something was up with her love as well. Kana didn't say anything about it - she didn't even ask - but she knew there was something wrong. Sometimes she caught a glimpse of him looking extremely tired but in just a fraction of a second he was back to normal, acting like nothing was the matter. She figured that he'd tell her soon enough though, so she waited, not wanting to make a big deal out of anything if she was just being paranoid. Which she strongly felt she wasn't.

On the third and final day, the army was back with their King, Princess and Prince, and the Dark Prince. The townspeople greeted them with joyous and victorious cheers - all were happy for the return of their husbands, sons, and their Princess. And, of course, the won battle with the goblins.

The Princess was happy to be home, and she was happy to know that Ekanath could be cooled down by the lake. But first they had certain matters to attend to, and once the royalty was in the palace, Elidi greeted the Queen and Ascal with hugs and kisses and happy laughter.

They were all led to the living room area by the Queen, Elidi staying behind the small crowd with Ekanath.

"Would you like to do it now?" she asked quietly, talking about telling everything about their love.
 
Kana blinked, taking a moment to process her question with his increasingly sluggish mind and when he did, he shook his head, taking her hand gently and leaning over to whisper in her ear. "Not yet. Let your family spend time with you. Let all you be together and your rescue settle with your mother and Ascal first." he advised softly. Her mother and brother would have just seen her, would have questions, would want to speak with her and reassure themselves that she was indeed safe and sound, back with them.

The Dark Elf didn't believe springing such news on them right now would be the wisest thing to do. And though he was not saying it, Kana was mentally dozing even as he walked, his body telling him it was done, more than done. He'd not gotten any decent sleep for a month between the torture, tracking Elidi and then fighting the goblins. The few days he'd gotten after his injury had not made nearly any kind of dent in his complete and utter weariness.

In fact...

"Elidi." He waited until she looked back at him before smiling slightly, but finally letting the creeping exhaustion come into his eyes, finally let her see it. "I think I am just going to sleep. We can talk to your family tonight, though. Is this all right with you?"
 
Well, what Kana said was definitely true. She honestly already knew what his answer was, that he'd want her to spend time with her family. She just was still so filled with joy that she could hardly contain it or her excitement. It would be good to speak to her mother and Ascal though, to answer everybody's questions and get everything cleared up. Only then would there be true relief.

She continued walking with him, but when she heard her name being called, she turned around and saw how truly and utterly exhausted he was. She nodded to him in an answer, a bit of concern showing on her face before she touched her chest, looking at him, telling him silently that if he needed her, to reach her through their bond. Then she gave him a small bow before returning to her family, Ascal enveloping her in his arms as they turned into a large, spacious and elegant living room.

While Elidi spent time with her family, the Dark Prince was always in the back of her mind and she kept alert for him. Her father suggested a feast again, but this time just a small celebration between the family, which included Kana. Everybody agreed to it, looked forward to it, and while it was being prepared, the family listened to Elidi tell about her experiences while she was taken for the second time. She spared them the gruesome details, but showed them her scars since she knew it'd be better for them to know. They'd see them soon enough, anyway.
 
He'd gone back to the room he'd been given when he'd come here initially and Kana had hesitated in the doorway, eyes flickering around before he moved to the bed. He took his shoes and shirt off. It was cooler back here, but it was still much too warm, nearly at the height of summer in Sanesia and the Dark Prince crawled into bed, laying out on his stomach and letting his mind finally drift into sleep.

His back cried out in agony. He burned. His body wept blood, pleading for mercy, any kind of reprieve. The whistle of the whip cutting through the air was like a shriek to his ears. Fire flashed before him and Kana tried to jerk away, struggling to escape the pain and the fear that surrounded him.

Cruel voices whispered in his ear, telling him he was weak and useless, helpless. They taunted that he'd never escape, he'd always be a captive, a slave to their will and whims. He'd never be able stop the pain or the fear, the loneliness. He was forsaken.

He tried to fight, remembering soft touches and love. He knew love! Elidi! He had Elidi!

And even as the thought passed his mind, the marks began to burn with a pain unbearable and he saw her. She was in pain, being hurt and he couldn't get to her. She screamed, pleaded for help and he couldn't reach her. He felt her pain and her fear and her desperation, but nothing he did could ease her suffering and Kana sobbed, hopeless as he watched the blade from the goblin enter her heart.

The excruciating agony was indescribable as everything went black around him.

Kana woke screaming, still caught in the terrifying dream and his power swept out from him, black and cold swirling up the walls, cracking the stone. It made the glass in the window explode and created splintering holes in the wall and ceiling as it crept out the door and through the walls to sweep, out of control down the hallway.
 
The Light Princess was laughing along with her parents at joke shared between Hasterien and Ascal. But suddenly the happiness was interrupted sharply by pain, her chest feeling that familiar cold hatred and she excused herself quickly, walking out of the room and running when she was out of sight towards Kana's room. Something was definitely wrong and she couldn't help but panic. Why would Kana be going beserk right now? Her mind reeled through the most awful situations and when she reached the hallway where his room resided, she saw a few frightened and worried servants at the end of the other side of the wall, creeping away as Kana's power flooded through. Quickly, Elidi opened the doors.

"Kana!" she yelled, going to his side, catching a glimpse of the cracking stone walls from the black cold. She sat by his side, wrapping her arms around him even if he tried to put up a fight. "Kana, wake up! It's just a dream! I'm right here," she said, trying to get through to him with her warm touch and voice. "It's me, my love, it's Elidi. Wake up." She kissed his shoulder, his neck, his back before resting her cheek on it similarly to the way when she first stopped him from going berserk. "Wake up..."
 
Kana did indeed thrash in her hold, curling tighter in fear when he couldn't get away, but he'd stopped screaming, only crying out sporadically as the dream slowly started to fade. Elidi's touch, her voice started to register then and his power shuttered to a halt, recognizing the one person it would submit to. It calmed, stopping just as quickly as it had flared and leaving Kana a shuddering, shaking mess.

And the room the same way.

He came back to true awareness then, feeling Elidi behind him, her face against his back. The realization that she was all right, that she was alive and he could feel her breathing against him was enough to break the wall Kana had put up and he started to sob, curling tighter around himself in habit he had yet to break. He'd been trying to pretend none of this had happened, that everything was fine, but it had been wreaking havoc on his body, his mind and now he didn't have a choice as he broke down.

So he cried, struggling with the intensity of emotions he'd not taken the time to deal with.
 
Elidi got hit a few times while Kana thrashed, but she didn't mind it any attention, just keeping her hold tight on the man she loved. She hushed him gingerly, rocking him back and forth gently as he started to calm down, his power disappearing quickly and leaving him and the room in a shaking mess. He seemed to realize that he was in the real world now and that whatever he was having nightmares about wasn't true, or at least wasn't happening.

But she stopped hushing him. She just let him cry, knowing that he needed the release and she laid down beside him, wrapping her arms around him still in a tight and protective, warm hold. She whispered to him soothingly in her native tongue much similar like he had done to her, one of her arms coming to trace up and down his back lovingly. The few servants from earlier and a couple of guards peeked their head through the door but she just waved them swiftly away and they disappeared, closing the doors behind them as the maids started to clean up the mess out in the hallway.

Elidi also took this as a chance to kiss at the scars on his back. Each and every one, not missing any as she kissed away tenderly and slowly as he cried out all his pent-up emotions.
 
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Kana cried until he couldn't cry anymore and as his tears slowed, leaving him with ragged, hiccup-broken breaths, he became far more aware of what was going on around him. He felt lighter. Not better, per say, but like a massive weight had lifted off his chest and Dark Elf closed his eyes, his body trembling, but waking up to the sensations running over his back, taking note of the warmth behind him.

He knew Elidi was there, but now that he was thinking again, her presence soothed him even further and when Kana shivered, it was a different reason this time as her lips continued to ghost over his nearly scar-shredded back. She seemed determined to get every scar and the Dark Elf knew he had a great deal. The thought that she might truly kiss every one of them, that she would take such care and patience to do so made his breath hitch and his heart swell with love for the Light Elf behind him.

Kana stayed still, letting her touch and her melodious words work through him, calm him and his body slowly relaxed and stopped shaking. He began to breathe more deeply, regularly and the Dark Elf finally spoke, eyes still closed, wanting to sleep again, but afraid to.

"I love you." It was a whisper in the quiet of the room, but it was all he felt he could say at the moment, the most important thing to say.
 
It seemed like forever when Ekanath finally seemed to stop crying, all that emotion and wracking on his body making his breath ragged and hiccup-y like breathing always was when somebody stopped crying. She continued to kiss his back, the hand that rubbed it earlier now rubbing his front part of his body as best it could since it was curled together.

When his body ease and relaxed, and his breath slowed and changed into a more deep, regular pace, Elidi hummed softly, halfway down his back now but still having a lot to go. It wasn't a chore, though. It was far from it. It was something she wanted to do and when he said those three words, she hummed again.

"I love you," she returned, murmuring the words against his back in a quiet voice. "Go to sleep, my love. I will be here. I am safe, and so are you. We are all safe," the hand that was rubbing his front torso found its way to his hands and she carefully and slowly interlocked their fingers. "The nightmares are not welcome, so they will not come. Do not worry." She would stay here for as long as she needed, even if it risked her and Ekanath being found out.
 
Kana hadn't really realized she was rubbing his chest until she stopped and her fingers found his own. He then took note that his skin was staying cool despite her warmth and the mark over his heart was radiating that cold, ignited by her touch. It was comforting as were her words and let the the control he'd been keeping to stay awake go. His mind hazed over, thinking about nothing but the touches against his skin, the love and intimacy and care placed upon him with each kiss.

He knew in that moment that he would never deserve Elidi....but he would forever be grateful, blessed to have her in his life and he would strive every day to make her feel as loved and cherished as she made him feel.

He fell asleep with that thought in mind and his body eased completely into the bed, uncurling slowly if not completely, trusting. The nightmares stayed away, just as Elidi had said they would and Eluchon found them both there two hours later, the room quiet.

The guard peeked his head into the room, did a brief scan of the damage and then took in the Princess and Prince before he looked back down the hall and then slipped into the room. The demeanor of a guard dropped a little then to be replaced by a worried friend. "How is he?"
 
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(( I can't... handle... the cuteness! :'D Can I just say I love our charries? :'3 ))

Elidi relaxed once Ekanath had fallen asleep. She was so happy that she could be the one to do this for him, that she was able to get through to him when nothing and nobody else could. As he slowly uncurled from his tense position, her body followed she kept her hand in his as she continued to kiss his back in his sleep. She only wished that the nightmares and awful feelings that consumed and daunted Kana would stay away and not come back, whether she was with him or not. For this, she prayed. She prayed to the stars and the moon, to the sun and to the heavens above. Just leave her love alone, for he had suffered so much already.

The kisses on each scar were accomplished within the next hour, and after that, the Princess simply laid by her Prince's side, humming a melodic tune softly and quietly, admiring his face and his body, and even the scars - she admired everything for what it was, admired Ekanath for what he was. Surely she knew her family was confused on her whereabouts, but it seemed that at least one of the servants or guards had spoken to them about the Dark Prince's power and they left it at that, giving as much time to the pair as needed.

After the second hour, when Elidi heard the door creak open, she raised her head to spot who it was and smiled at seeing it was Eluchon. "He is better..." she said, looking down to the still sleeping Prince. "He needs his rest," her tone was soft and quiet, loving, and she looked back to Ekanath's new friend. "He had a nightmare and his power lashed out."
 
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(( Yes, yes you can because.....I do too!! ))

The guard nodded slowly, his eyes taking in the scars he had yet to actually see before and Eluchon's gaze turned both sad and more confident at the same time. He glanced at his Princess before studying the Dark Elf again, hearing clearly the love in her voice for him and feeling pleased with it. Still, despite that, faint worry still lurked in his blue eyes, in the lines at the corners of his mouth.

"He did not sleep more than small hours at a time while we searched for you." he confided quietly and though he did not look up at Elidi, it was clear that his next words were important, something he wanted her to pay heed to. "I have been in many wars, Princess Elidi and I have seen many horrors, not the least of which being freed prisoners of war and slaves. Ekanath...reminds me of those people. I think he is suffering stress, anxiety and disorientation due to years of trauma."

Blue eyes finally looked up into gold. "He behaves very much like a war captive or a slave would; flinching and avoiding touch, startled by loud noises, insomnia, triggered responses, nightmares, acting like everything is fine when it is clear it's not... I have seen this many times before, Princess, and if it is not too bold of me to say....I would suggest that Ekanath be reintroduced to people again slowly, people he can trust."

Eluchon smiled a little, hoping he'd not overstepped his boundaries. "It is already good that he can relax around you."
 
(( :D :D ))

Elidi looked to Eluchon with concern and also curiosity as he spoke of Ekanath, informing her that he hardly slept during the search for her. It pained her to know, even if she already did in the back of her mind, and she couldn't help but take a bit of guilt onto herself. If only she had actually protected herself... if she had been careful and those damned defense lessons paid off! Maybe then they wouldn't be in this position...

No.

That was the point of all of this. If she had not been captured, they wouldn't be here laying together, she wouldn't know of Ekanath's condition. Surely, she would find out, but only later and everything was as it should be; she had to remember that. Still, she felt a little guilty...

Elidi listened to the blue-eyed elf's words carefully, sadness probably escaping the barrier she was trying to keep up but she quickly got a hold of it and looked down to her sleeping beau, her thumb stroking his hand softly as they were still intertwined. Then she slowly looked back to Eluchon and returned his small smile.

"He is a good man.... with a strong heart," she stroked the hair at his hairline, running her fingers tenderly through the white tresses. "He will overcome this." Her voice was confident - she was confident. She knew Kana could do it. "And if not, then I will stay by his side and keep trying with him." Years of trauma were only dealt with years of conciliation, and even then there were still triggers and small episodes. "Thank you, Eluchon. You have been a good friend," she smiled at him warmly, her golden eyes filled with appreciation. "You have my gratitude...." she paused as she thought for a moment. "Would you like to be one of those first trusted people in Kana's new life?" She smiled then. "I don't really think you have a choice; you two have been becoming close already, haven't you? Too late to step back now," she teased.
 
Kana shifted slightly at the voices, quiet as they were, but it was only to tighten his hand a little on Elidi's. He seemed to lean into her touch subconsciously when she ran her fingers through his hair and he curled the interlaced hands closer to his chest before he settled once more.

Eluchon watched it all with a slight smile, feeling confident with the Princess that Kana would recover, become whole again if not a little chipped here and there. With Elidi at his side, with something to fight for, to love and be loved by, the guard had no doubt that the both of them would be fine. He turned his attention back to Elidi then and the smile spread a bit both at her compliment and her teasing.

"That it is milady, but I did step into this knowing what I was doing, so I don't much mind." he assured her, glancing back at Kana and then at her again. "In all honesty, I think I am good for him. It was guards to some degree who did this to him and I think my presence challenges him." Though, it also helped that Eluchon knew what he was doing. He didn't touch Kana without telling him first, making it known what he was doing, didn't make sudden movements, was quiet, understanding...everything the guards who'd hurt him were not.

It was slowly making a difference, but Eluchon knew that the person who was going to help the most would Elidi. And after her, most-likely Ascal. Yes, Elidi's brother was a Prince, but at the moment, subject under the King, he was more like a Noble and Kana was deeply traumatized by a Noble. The interactions the two had partaken in together had been brief and under circumstances that didn't allow Kana time to think about anything - whether they were good circumstance like at the lake, meeting for the first time in stables or saying goodbye before Elidi's rescure. That would probably soon change, especially after this.

Eluchon proceeded to explain all this to Elidi quietly before quieting again, though, he did make an observation. "You are going to miss the dinner with your family if you don't start getting ready in about ten minutes, Princess."
 
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The Princess smiled at Eluchon's answer. "I agree that you are good for him. I think just being here in Sanesia, in Eromas, is helping. And with the goblins gone and all the guards and nobles who had hurt him taken care of, it's a big step for him. Once he's accomplished all the smaller ones... he'll take that step." Most people in the kingdom, including guards and nobles, had no idea of the treachery and torture Ivordir and everyone else were capable of; they had no idea that everything had been aimed towards Ekanath for the last fifty years.

Elidi then listened to the rest of Eluchon's explanation and she smiled slightly. Ascal... yes, Ascal would definitely be a big part of the picture for her Dark Elf's recovery. But her family, most likely with some reminders, would all do their best to help with the Dark Prince as well, make him feel welcome and be careful of their own actions.

She sighed as the guard mentioned missing dinner. She knew she shouldn't risk missing that; it was part of her honor's sake, and also Kana's. But he needed the rest. She looked to the new friend. "Will you stay with him, until I get back?" she asked, a bit hopeful. She couldn't just leave Kana alone, and the next best person for him was Eluchon.
 
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