EVABELLE

If pillows could bruise, Evabelle's would be a mutilated puddle of contorting colors.  There would not be a speck of cream on the fluffy satin clouds that the elves had given her.  It would be a purple and blue splotchy patchwork, that would slowly shift to ugly greens and yellows.

However pillows did not bruise, and therefore the object that the girl continued to hurl at the unsuspecting wall, continued to bound off its surface.  It was a good thing pillows were so soft, or else the poor wall would be getting some nasty looking contusions itself; that was if walls could bruise too.

Evabelle travelled up and down the emotional rollercoaster within the hour after the man she had just confessed to had flown away from her.  At first she had continued to stare, completely frozen for what felt like a painfully long time, and then she had slowly withdrawn her hand and sunk to the floor, staring at the wall without seeing anything.  After a few minutes of that, her eyes had welled up with tears, and she had punched that wall, making her cry out.  She had stared at her hand as if it was a foreign thing to her.  She'd never punched a wall like that.  She'd never punched a wall.  But after baring ones soul and getting so close to everything, it had all been sucked away in a single second, leaving those high potent emotions right at the surface.  And the poor girl had no idea what to do with them.  After going through the numbness of catatonia and shock, the brief flash of tearful anger, she experienced varying waves of injustice, fear, confusion, and insecurity, but eventually it past all the way back around to anger.  Hence, the beating of the pillows.

Taking one last wild pitch of the fluffy headrest, Evabelle sunk to her knees again.  Sunlight warmed the room now as it beat against the girl's back.  She felt exhausted, completely drained.  The night before had been filled with dancing, sneaking, running, falling, rolling, fighting.  But then she'd had a wonderful dream and found herself finally speaking up.  Being brave.  She had been brave, only to have it all shoved in her face.

Evabelle bit her lip and looked up through another bout of stupid tears.  I can't cry all the time!  Stop thinking so negatively!  But it was a hard habit to get out of.

I saved Faux and Jamie, and started the distraction for Del and Lucis to attack.  I fought back and helped capture elves.  I wasn't too bad, either.  She thought through several deep breaths.  It was kind of working.  Yesterday we were moving toward something good.  Now, don't lose your momentum.

Placing one hand on the mattress of the bed, Evabelle pushed herself to her feet.  Lucis had been hiding something for a very long time. She had hoped to get the truth last night, but maybe it was more than she realized.  Going over to a small desk, Evabelle pulled open the single drawer and was glad to find exactly what she was looking for.

Evabelle had a feeling that whatever had Lucis the way he was, was because of his father.  Averno had been consorting with demons when that memory in her father's throne room had taken place.  Del and Lucis had been about six or seven years old at the time.  They had acted like he had been good father up until he had revealed his true colors by killing their mother and Evabelle's parents, but Evabelle wondered how much they didn't say.  She wondered if the man had done some small riddling with his children.  Had he hurt them?  Physically?  Emotionally?  Maybe he had trained them in some way, perhaps put little thoughts into their heads that had effected them.

Evabelle could now see why the other Anahalians didn't trust the brothers.  She still did, even after what Lucis had just done, but she could understand wariness that others felt.  However, she knew they had still gone about them wrongly. 

Evabelle stared down at the paper and ink bottle.  She slowly picked up the quill, and almost laughed at it.  She'd never used one of them before.  But she'd always kind of wanted to.  She opened the bottle and dipped the feather into it, but then paused.

What if Lucis felt as if he wasn't worthy of her?  That was just stupid...but maybe...maybe his father had actually gotten him to do something...something bad.  Something he was truly ashamed of, something that would make him feel like he had to hide away and be as perfect as he possibly could to make up for it.

Evabelle shook her head.  She had to focus on this.  Taking a deep breath, she got to writing, doing her best to be as clean and formal as she could, going slow to make sure her handwriting didn't smudge.  It was a short little letter that she hoped would work alright.  She blew on it and made sure it was dry before folding it up and going for the door.  

Upon opening the barricade, she found no one initially.  She hesitantly crept out, looking side to side, but it didn't appear that anyone was up.  Faint footsteps coming from down the hall to her right, relieved the girl.  She followed the sound until she discovered none other than Honey, the friendly elf. 

The elf's dimpled smile lit up the corridor as she saw Evabelle.  "My, my Miss.  We weren't told to expect any of you up until later in the day.  Did you sleep alright?  You look a bit worn.  Still very lovely!"  She rushed.  "Just a bit worn out still.  I could make you more of my sasta, if you'd like."

Evabelle shook her head, feeling just the tiniest bit better.  This precious little elf had a way of doing that.  "No thank you, Honey.  But would it still be alright if I asked you a favor?"

Honey hopped right up to her.  "Oh, absolutely!  Whatever I can do!"

Evabelle smiled.  "Thank you."  She pulled out her folded letter and explained to the elf girl of her desires.  "If you could, don't read it.  It's just I need to talk to him.  We need to figure some things out, you could say."

Honey took the letter, giving a solemn nod.  "I will do my best, Miss.  After the coronation, yesterday, things should not be too busy.  It is normally a day of rest, so I do think it should be alright before you and your friends head back to the mage sanctuary."

Evabelle thanked her again and watched the little cook scamper off down the hallway.  Then the tired brunette made her way back to her room and closed the door behind her.  She couldn't even look at the window.  Then she went over to her pillow that was still on the floor and began to head back to the bed, figuring a nap would hopefully help. 

Slipping onto the lovely bed, she massaged her temples, with the pillow on her lap.  The room was bright, but she didn't think that would be much of a problem at that point.  It was just that one thing swirling around in her brain and wouldn't leave her be.  Warm words from a beautiful bowing mouth asking an insecure girl 'What's wrong with being kind and wanting peace?'  when she didn't believe she was enough.  A joyful twinkle in rich blue eyes as a hand outstretched to her; 'I wanted to ask you to dance with me.'  The soft innocent tone at the very first words she had personally received from the angel boy with white wings;  'So, you've caught me Princess.'  A glowing star lighting up the space between them as a silent promise hovered through the real words that left his lips; 'If you're ever afraid, all you have to do is call my name.' A desperate plea, hidden underneath stern almost harsh reassurance: 'While you doubt yourself, I refuse to.  While you do not believe in yourself, I will believe in you for you.' Showing Evabelle that he might be just as scared and lost as she.  'You are my dream in this reality that I have been cursed to live in.'

Lucis!  Evabelle shook her head, her heart pounding so hard she could barely swallow, her eyes started to well up again.  I love you!  And you said you loved me too, so why?!  Lucis was hurting, he was scared, he was lost.  He had been this way since the moment he rescued her from Annihilators.  You can tell me, Lucis!  You can trust me!  You're supposed to trust the people who you love and love you back, so why?  Her hands were gripping the pillow so tightly they were shaking.  Why can't you just tell me?

The pillow flew high and fast before it slammed against the wall one last time.

* * *

It was late afternoon when Evabelle awoke again.  She stared up at the ceiling for a long time, not really experiencing any desire to try to move.  But the sound of sharp rapping on her door had her heaving herself into a sitting position.

"Bella, Bellaroo!  Where are you?"  Sang a voice from the other side.  "We've got some work to do now!"

"Come in," Evabelle croaked before they could finish their Scooby Doo rendition.

Aza swung the door forward and stared at Evabelle.  "Dude, are you okay?"

The brunette nodded her lie and gave a stretch.

"Well, you look awful."  The small blonde marched into the room.

Evabelle gave a pathetic snort.  "Your courtesy is truly awe-inspiring."

Aza shrugged.  "Well, you're usually up and ready way before me, so I never really get to see your gorgeous bed-head."  She sat on the coverlet and stared at Evabelle for a moment before leaning closer.  "Plus, your eyes look pretty puffy."  Silvery eyes flickered.  "What's wrong?"

Evabelle blinked at her friend.  She knew she could tell Aza anything.  Her friend would always be there for her, but Evabelle just wasn't ready to talk about it.  Plus, she knew Aza, herself was keeping something from her too. 

Evabelle ended up waving her off.  "It was a long night, and I didn't sleep well.  So, do you know what the plan is today?"

Aza pulled back slightly, but her eyes told Evabelle she knew she was holding back.  Evabelle supposed that they must both have a knack to tell that about each other.  "Well, since elves aren't the most gracious with strangers on their island, Lucis said we're going to be heading back today."  At the mention of Lucis's name, Evabelle's throat got very dry.  "They dealt with us being guests for the Kai's Coronation, but they'll get suspicious if we stay too much longer.  Most of them don't know about their tribe of traitors yet, so they have no idea about the ginormous favor we did them all."

"So are we not going to question them anymore?"  Evabelle cut in.  "And wait where are they now?"

"The guys put them in some underground prison under the palace, where the king and his court or something will be doing their own questioning and whatnot.  They suspect we did catch most of the traitors but not all."  Aza shook her head.  "Anyway, Lucis went down earlier this morning to go talk with them some more, I think."

Evabelle shifted uncomfortably.  She saw shiny gray eyes watching her, and decided it was time to get up.  The brunette slid out of bed and grabbed her clothes she had worn there that had been placed, washed and folded, at the end of her bed. 

"So what exactly is the plan now?"  Aza asked.  Evabelle was grateful she didn't try to get anything out of her.  "We came to the elves, found the bad gang, know they're working for an evil vampire guy...for drugs, I guess.  I mean so what now?  Are we going to go the vampire pit?"

Evabelle shimmied into her t-shirt, then grabbed the brush by the water basin and began dragging it through her tangled hair.  "Well, we're looking for Averno.  We know he's building an army besides the Annihilators, so him working with a high-up pureblood makes sense.  But we don't want to stir up trouble that isn't there, that's why we came here first.  Just in case, there were no traitors that had involvement with vampires.  But we did find just that here, so there is a high-likely hood that Kruor is the one with Averno.  We'll probably start planning some kind of meeting or undercover break-in into his clan, which I know will not be easy."  Evabelle started to French braid her own hair to keep it out of her face.  "There's also the issue of the Annihilators themselves they've been circling, high-resident areas.  It's some kind of warning.  We haven't had much out of them in a long time, but I have a feeling their silence will be ending very soon.  We're also going to have to come with a plan to keep them at bay."

Evabelle turned to Aza who was staring at her, mouth dropped open in the shape of a long o.  "What?"  She asked her stunned friend.

Aza shook her head.  "You just sounded so logical and straightforward about all that."

Evabelle stood, rubbing her slightly sweaty palms down her jeans.  "What are you saying?  Am I not usually straightforward or logical?"

Aza shook her head.  "No--I mean not like that.  You sounded so...I don't know the word.  Regalish?  It just didn't sound like you.  You had all the facts and you stated them, and then you're talking about planning more dangerous craziness, which I'm totally down for, but you're usually...not."
Evabelle nodded.  "I know, but we're in this.  We've been in this for a long time, and all I've done is sit under a rock and hope it ends by the time I peek my head out.  I'm done doing that.  Even if it terrifies me, I'm doing something about this."

Aza suddenly leapt off the bed and sprung forward, nearly knocking Evabelle flat as she bowled into her.  Her arms wrapped her around her tight.  "You may not know this Evabelle, but that's a talent that you have.  Even when you're afraid, you always come through."

The words so surprised Evabelle for a moment she didn't hug back, but then she returned the embrace and smiled, so grateful for Aza. 

"So," Aza pulled back and looked up at her.  "You keep talking about all this planning.  What sort of ideas have you got up there?"  She gave a knock on the taller girl's forehead.  

Evabelle pulled a face and dodged around her friend's hand.  "Well, Averno has got his own army.  The Anahalians are locked up in Jovis, now, so we only have us two, the three Anahalians, Calandra, and Kai pretty much.  That's not enough."   Evabelle took a deep breath, finally confessing one of the initial reasons she'd agreed to coming to the Isles in the first place.  "I think one of the first things we need to do is start building our own army."

* * *

Sometime later, Honey came to fetch Evabelle, and Taiga, the elf that had put that disgusting paste on Aza's cuts came to take Aza down to the dark garden where the portal was to wait.

Aza looked put out, obviously not liking the idea of being stuck waiting in the dank underground greenhouse.  But Evabelle knew it would be better than letting her loose to the rest of the palace.  Luckily, Aza kept her mouth shut.

As Evabelle followed Honey, she noticed the halls weren't overly busy.  If she had to guess it was around two or three in the afternoon.  She wasn't sure what the normal status of the castle was around this time, but she figured that it was generally a bit more lively.  Maybe it was because of the party last night, people were just tired.  But Evabelle wasn't stupid.  Elves did not like Anahalians.  She, admittedly hadn't thought about what was running through their heads when she, the only living royal family member of the Anahalians, had danced with their heir, who was now a vampire.

Evabelle swallowed hard.  This was going to be difficult for everyone.
After the two of them ascended the long staircase that lead up to the large ornamented doors, Honey turned to Evabelle.  "I did as you asked, Miss.  I don't know what this meeting it about, but I have a feeling things are going to change because of it." 

"How do you feel about change, Honey?"  Evabelle asked.

The freckled elf shrugged.  "Not many like moving away from something they find comfortable, but nothing will ever happen if they don't."

It wasn't quite the answer Evabelle had thought she'd receive, but she liked it.  Honey then ducked into the room and announced that Evabelle, Princess of the Anahalians was here.  Taking a deep breath, Evabelle entered the King's throne room once again.

Just as before, the warm smells and soothing sounds calmed her a little as she knelt before the king. 

King Lir extended his hand for her to rise.  "Evabelle, I was intrigued by your letter," He held up the short message she had asked Honey to deliver, earlier that morning.  "Although, I have my suspicions as to what this is about."

Evabelle stood and saw that a new magical table was waiting for her and the king to sit, along with the long plum-colored haired elf standing beside him.  Honey slipped out of the room and Evabelle took a seat with King Lir and Baldwyn.  "You came alone," The King spoke through the silence.

Evabelle nodded.  He had been expecting Lucis, because Lucis was good at this.  He'd done most of the talking last time.  Evabelle had barely said a word. 

Now the girl's mouth felt dry again, but she swallowed hard.  Things were different now.  Things had changed.

"But I suspect, that you are not the same girl who first arrived on my isles."  King Lir spoke as though he had read her thoughts.  "You've grown."

"Yes, sir.  I am changed.  I am changing.  Your home has shown me a lot of perspective, and has pushed me farther than I thought it would."  Evabelle shoved the words passed her mouth.  Once she started speaking it got easier.  "You said you assumed what this was about, Sire,"  She paused now waiting for him to fill in.

The king clasped his hands in front of him, peering over his fingers at her.  "You asked to meet with me and my Commander.  This is about the war."

Baldwyn straightened in his seat, his firefly eyes flickering.

"I have informed Commander Baldwyn of the situation," the King explained. 

Evabelle nodded.  "If I may ask, Sir, what is your plan now?"

King Lir was silent for a time before he said softly.  "I plan on informing the other day children of Averno's intensions, then I plan on building up protection over the Isles."

Evabelle glanced at Baldwyn, who's eyes narrowed at her.  She looked back at the king.  "Do you plan on fighting, Your Majesty?"

Kai's father unclasped his hands.  "Are you suggesting that I would bring battle to the fallen angel's army?  My dear, we are not warriors."

"Not natural-born ones."  Evabelle spoke causing the King to sit back as his eyebrows rose.  She cleared her throat and straightened up.  "Sire, I know that my people are supposed to be the warriors of this world.  I do not deny that mistakes have been made on our part, but I am going to do everything I can to change things.  Right now Averno's demonic plague on the rest of the Anahalians has them quarantined in Jovis, while many of those already Turned are already here.  We both know they're gathering over populated areas, but we also know that they've been too silent for too long and that it's about to end."  Evabelle paused glancing between the two elf men, but neither's expression gave anything away.  She continued.  "They're going to attack the humans.  They're going to draw us out because we are the descendents of angels that cannot stand by when innocent lives are being taken." 

Evabelle took a deep breath.  "Your Majesty, there are very few Anahalians here that can do as they were designed, so I have to extend my arm to you and your people."

King Lir slowly leaned forward again.  "You want us to join you," He clarified.  "You want us to fight with you,"

"I know that you're not born natural fighters like the Anahalians, but even they have to train.  Your Majesty, I know I'm asking a lot, but Averno has an army, and I'm pretty sure one mage, one human, three Anahalians, and one wingless one are not going to be enough."

Baldwyn breathed out through his nose and gave his nod of agreement. 

King Lir nodded too.  "I understand that, of course."  He paused, looking down at his hands for a moment.  "So are you suggesting that I start drafting my elves to train under Commander Baldwyn for this fight?"

Evabelle bit her lip.  She didn't like the sound of that, but...  "No, n-not yet," she whispered.  Then a little louder she said,  "I think if you could just let the other elves know of the situation and encourage them to join the army, that would be best."

King Lir took a deep breath.  "What you are proposing is a formal alliance, where we will be going back at forth working with you from your place in the mages sanctuary, developing strategies for this."

Evabelle cleared her throat.  "Yes, I would like to do that."

The King nodded and rose from his seat, making Baldwyn and Evabelle get up as well.  "Very well," He said and came around the table to stand in front of the Anahalian princess.  "I understand."  Then he held out his arm to her.

Evabelle went to take his hand, but the king shook his head.  "Take my forearm, my dear."

The brunette glanced up at him and did as he asked. 

"A formal alliance is a binding contract, between us."  The king explained.  He turned his head to Baldwyn.  "Commander please tell the princess what words she must say."

Baldwyn came over to the two of them and spoke softly to Evabelle.  "I, Evabelle Angel,"

"I, Evabelle Angel," The girl said after him.

"Take the hand of King Lir Coquina in solemn oath of binding,"

Evabelle glanced at Baldwyn, feeling a little off steady with those words, but she still repeated them.

"To align are people along the same path, to work together as one."

Evabelle said the words she was instructed to, and then the King spoke.  "I accept the terms of the Alliance." 

Suddenly a white hot spike, struck down her arm, making Evabelle cry out and almost wrench away her grip from the king, but his fingers tightened around her arm as a gold glowing thread spiraled down her limb and up King Lir's, coiling tightly around his arm just as a turquoise thread spiraled down from his shoulder and wrapped itself around Evabelle's appendage.

Baldwyn spoke again.  "This Alliance is pure,"

It took a second for Evabelle to realize she was still supposed to repeat him.  The brief pain had passed, but she still stared stunned at the strings of magic between herself and Kai's father.  "This Alliance is pure," she murmured.

"But if by any means shall I betray the trust of the bind, I shall be marred," Baldwyn said softly.

Evabelle tensed and whipped her head up to look of at the pale-skinned elf.  "Marr--?"

"Just repeat the words."  Baldwyn urged, not harshly. 

Evabelle swallowed but did as she was told. 

Then the purple haired elf placed his own hand on top of Evabelle's and King Lir's.  "As the witness of this formal alliance, I see it as just."  Then he lifted his hand again and the magic vanished.

King Lir released her hand and rested it on Evabelle's shoulder.  "The alliance is powerful magic.  In times of war it was done quite often, but there were times the king or queen that initiated it would betray those they had made alliance with, and receive a physical mark of betrayal that they were wear for the rest of their life."  He smiled kindly down at Evabelle.  "But you are his daughter.  I could only see it faintly when you first arrived, but something here must have fed that little flame in your eye, child.  For it is almost as if I am seeing my old friend once again."

That almost brought Evabelle to tears, but she swallowed and smiled up at the King of the elves.  "Thank you, Sire."

King Lir's hands slipped away from her shoulder.  "Was there anything else that you wished to discuss?"

"Actually yes," Evabelle nodded.  "You said that we would be working from the Sanctuary and you, of course, from here.  But I have to ask what about Kai?"

From the corner of her eye, Evabelle saw Baldwyn stiffen as, in front of her, King Lir tilted his head.  "What do you mean?"

"I know he was just crowned heir, but he has already sort of joined us in this battle."  Evabelle shuffled uncomfortably. 

"Are you asking if Kai will be going back with you?"  The King's eyes blinked, a hurt expression starting to take root.

Evabelle shook her head fiercely but then slowed.  "No, I mean, not exactly...I just..."  She took a deep breath.  "You said something fed the fire in my eyes, Sir.  And I said that I was changing from the girl I used to be.  Well, Kai is a very important element to that.  He has helped me in more ways than I think he realizes.  He is a prince that knows so much that I need to learn.  We are the same in many ways and have found a reflection in one another that has helped me and I think has helped him too."

Baldwyn gave a little cough.  "Your Lucis is talking to the mage that you are staying with right now," He said, and Evabelle's insides clenched at the first two words he had spoken.  "I believe he is arranging for some other mages to come and repair our portal so that going back and forth should be far easier.  It will now work perfectly with the alliance, but perhaps Kai can be the one that goes back and forth between them to arrange and exchange our course of action."

Evabelle nodded enthusiastically.  "Yes, that would be perfect!  He and Gem have grown close to Calandra.  She’s a bit of a hard person to get along with, but they already know her and--"

King Lir held up a hand, silencing Evabelle, making her nervous.  But the King had a small smile on his lips.  "Alright, that seems fair, there will probably be more than one elf going back and forth with this, but Kai could head up this position, and yes, Gem could go visit too.  She’s told me how much she loves the mage, Calandra as you say.  But please do let me have my children for a little bit."  He gave a little laugh.

Evabelle grinned.  "Thank you, Your Majesty!"