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Treason	By : Dagian Category: +G through L > Lineage 2 Views: 832 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nothing, NCSoft regrettably does, I make no profit off of this story that is based on Lineage2.

Chapter List
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Caellia lay silently, pretending to be asleep. She kept thinking back to that fateful night on the ship, her reaction, and the resulting conversation with Kattath. The word’s Kattath had spoken came back to haunt her. ‘Your heart tells you that you’re ready, yet you stubbornly refuse to trust it.’ Kattath was right and Caellia knew it. Her heart was ready to tell Nathavin, and was dying to do so, but she could not trust herself. The pain she’d suffered in the past, inflicted by those she’d once trusted, was too much. It would not allow her to admit her feelings to him.

            Nathavin glanced about the destroyed house and noticed that it was gradually getting lighter as daybreak neared. He had stayed up all night watching over them. He’d held her gently in her sleep, massaging her muscles during the night so that they would not be stiff and sore when she awoke. It had been a testament of her trust in him that even though she had woken up while he’d carefully massaged each arm and leg, she had readily gone back to sleep at his quiet command. Sighing heavily he gazed sadly back down at Caellia as his fingers threaded through her hair softly. He knew that soon he would have to get up and leave her before she woke. He didn’t think she’d appreciate him being so close to her.

            Caellia knew that the pain she’d suffered in the past would be nothing compared to the pain she would feel if he chose to betray her trust, betray her love. She didn’t want to feel that pain, didn’t want to have to face it. That was what she was afraid of most. That was why she couldn’t trust her heart and admit her love. The pain that would be caused by his betrayal would be unbearable. If he betrayed her, it would utterly destroy her. With her throat on fire from the effort it took not to cry, Caellia knew that she could not, dared not, admit her love for him. Caellia knew that he was awake but she was unable to stop the tears from falling. She turned her head to one side, not wanting him to see her cry. It would only lead to questions she didn’t want to answer.

            Oblivious to her true thoughts and feelings, one hand fisted lightly by his side as the other continued its path in her hair as an unbearable sadness welled up within him. Why? Why wouldn’t she say the words? He would do anything for her! Though his original reason for fighting Asadar had been to protect his people, he was now going to fight Asadar to protect her! He’d killed Asterios for her when the High Priest thought to murder her! Nathavin could not understand why she would deny him her love simply because he was a dark elf. He deserved her love! He’d earned it!

            Nathavin felt her shifting in her sleep and the action broke him out of his thoughts. His relaxed, albeit sad, mood dissipated and was replaced with an irrational anger as her head tilted away from him. It seemed that even in her sleep she refused him! The dark blood began pounding through his veins and he quickly stood up and moved away from her. As he was getting up to leave however, he thought he saw her hand reach out and grasp at the air in the place where he’d been, before she pulled it back towards herself. It had been so quick, so fleeting, he was certain that it must’ve been a trick of the light and he firmly turned his back to her. But, for one aching, heart stopping moment; it had almost looked as if she’d been reaching out, for him.

            A sharp pang shot straight to her heart as he abruptly got up and moved away. It was almost as if he couldn’t bear to be around her. Her heart felt as if it had been torn in two. A trembling hand reached out in the direction he had gone and clutched at the empty air in an unconscious attempt to stop him from leaving and bring him back, before she fisted it up and drew it back with a muffled, anguished cry.

            Caellia continued to feign sleep for several more minutes before quietly sitting up and stretching, taking quick swipes at her eyes to remove any traces of her tears. As she slowly got up and began to move around, she noticed that she wasn’t quite as sore as she would’ve thought from the harsh training she’d received the day before. As she looked at Nathavin, a remnant of a dream surfaced. She’d dreamed that he’d gently massaged her muscles and told her to relax and go back to sleep when he’d noticed that she had awakened. A small, sad smile graced her features for a fleeting moment, if only it hadn’t been a dream.

            Caellia gave herself a mental shake. She would not dwell on what could not be. She was determined to act as if nothing was wrong. She would act as if she hadn’t made the most heartbreaking decision of her life this morning. With the memory of her dream still fresh, she looked over at him and wondered if he’d gotten any sleep at all. “Nathavin…” She began to question him.

            “Good, you’re finally up.” He interrupted her as he stood up. “Get your things together quickly. We’re wasting time.” He never turned to face her before striding outside, not wanting her to see the hurt he was feeling.

            Caellia watched him in mild shock. What was wrong with him? She hadn’t done anything at all. Shaking her head, she silently gathered her things and went after him. When she caught up to him he was already casting spells on himself in preparation for their training. She pushed her own pain to the side as she focused on him. “Nathavin, what’s wrong?”

            “Nothing.” He glared at her coldly.

            Pursing her lips together tightly Caellia stared at him. Something was definitely wrong. He didn’t seem to want to talk about it though, so she remained silent. His cold stare began to make her uncomfortable and she broke eye contact with him, moving a small distance away. Caellia dismally prepared to begin her training for the day. She didn’t understand. What had she done this morning? Why was he acting this way toward her? She had barely spoken to him. There was no reason for him to be angry with her.

            When she was done casting her defensive magic, Nathavin led them quickly to a different area of the forest. How could she not know what was wrong?! Seething in fury, he ruthlessly killed anything that got in his path along the way to the area he’d chosen for them to train in today.

            Caellia watched him sadly from behind. She’d never seen him like this. Every movement was driven by an intense rage. It was disturbing and heartbreaking to witness. She was shocked into frightened stillness when he suddenly whirled around and regarded her silently. Her mind screamed that she was in danger. His eyes were no longer a cool calm grey color, instead, his eyes were as black as night. The last time he had looked at her with eyes like that she’d been his target, his prisoner! A chill of terror ran up her spine as she returned his gaze apprehensively, her muscles tensing in preparation to run. What was he thinking?

            Staring her down, Nathavin knew he was scaring her. He could see it in her wide, shocked eyes, and in the way she leaned away from him, ready to bolt. His hand curled tighter around the bow as the dark blood pulsed through him a little stronger. He could feel it driving him, filling him with a primal need to hunt her down, chase her down if he must, and force her to acknowledge what she felt! Force her to acknowledge him, acknowledge what he was to her, her match, her soul mate, her love! Turning away from her with a pained and aggravated snort, full of fury and self loathing, he took off running again.

            Shakily Caellia began following him again, this time at a discrete distance. For one heart stopping moment she had been sure he was going to attack her. She knew that for one instant, she had been in grave danger from him. Like some hunted animal, the instinct to run, to get away from him, had almost been overpowering.

            Inwardly raging, Nathavin attempted to calm himself, striving to attain the cold detachment he’d achieved the day before. He could not succumb to the pull of the dark blood, he would not! He would not let it rule him like some common beast! Nathavin knew however that it was a losing battle. Soon, the instinct would overpower him.

            Caellia resolved not to speak to him until he had visibly calmed down. She began to pay attention to where they were going and noticed that they had retraced their steps to the main road and had turned right onto it. They were now heading southeast. Nathavin paused at a divide in the road before taking the road that branched off to the right and west. As they passed, Caellia noticed that they were crossing underneath the roots of a very large tree. They came to another split in the road and he again took the path to the right which led them to a smaller path that led to the remains of a small village.

            Nathavin turned to face Caellia, noting that she was quickly scanning her new surroundings while holding her bow at the ready. “This village was overrun many years ago. There is no one left, but it is a good place for you to continue your training.” His voice was harsh, still angry with her.

            Caellia merely nodded at him. She didn’t want to risk angering him further by speaking. Her gaze returned to the beings in front of her as Nathavin began her lesson.

            They trained in much the same way as they had the day before. He showed her what needed to be done and offered encouragement or criticism when appropriate, while Caellia listened attentively and followed his instructions. She noticed however that Nathavin was particularly forceful today as compared to yesterday. He was much more demanding and the lessons far more exacting. Criticism was doled out liberally while praise and encouragement seemed forced and stiff. His anger clearly wasn’t dissipating as the day wore on. However, despite all of this, the day progressed in relative peace between them. It wasn’t until late afternoon that they began to argue again.

            “Nathavin, perhaps we should stop for today.” Caellia mentioned guardedly. It was blatantly obvious to her that he’d not slept at all the night before and was over tired.

            “No, there is plenty of daylight left and I want you to improve your method of attack before nightfall.” Nathavin retorted at her.

            Caellia watched him carefully. “Nathavin, I know you didn’t rest well last night. And I know that you want to stay up tonight, but you need to rest.”

            Nathavin growled out, “Don’t tell me what I ‘need’ Caellia.” He looked over at her, his eyes filled with intense pain. “You don’t know what I need.” Or care, he thought sadly.

            Caellia turned away from him, hurt by his words. They kept training for a little while longer. Finally, Caellia could stand it no more. Nathavin needed to rest and he needed to rest now! And if he wasn’t willing to stop for his own sake, then she’d make him stop the only other way that was left to her. Turning to face him she said as calmly as she could. “I’ve had enough.”

            “You’ve had enough of what, exactly?” Nathavin eyed her closely. Did she truly think she could just stop when she wanted to?

            “Training, we’ve been at this for hours Nathavin.” She lowered her bow to the side and held it in a relaxed grip.

            “You are not done Caellia.” Nathavin growled warningly at her.

            “Yes I am.” To prove her point, she bravely turned her back on him and began to walk away.

            Nathavin was beside himself with fury. How dare she defy him?! The dark blood rapidly bubbled up in response to her defiance.

            Caellia’s hair stood up on end as she sensed, rather than heard, his swift approach. Her survival instincts took over and she began to run but it was too late. She had not gotten more than three running steps before he caught up to her and shoved her into the nearest tree.

            “Don’t turn your back on me!” He kept her pinned to the tree and facing away from him. “Never turn your back on me!”

            Caellia shot back at him, looking over her shoulder at him as best she could. “You need to rest! Whether you want to admit it or not Nathavin you need it! And if refusing to continue my training is the only way to get you to take that rest then I’ll gladly do it!”

            “What makes you think you know what I need?!” He spun her around to face him and pinned her hands above her head while leaning in close to her. “Look at me Caellia! Do you know what I need?!” When she tried to look away from him he briefly brought her hands away from the tree trunk before slamming them roughly against it again to force her to look at him, not noticing that the rough bark of the tree was leaving bloody scratches on the backs of her hands. “If you know what I need Caellia then tell me! Tell me what it is that I need, tell me what I need to hear! Tell me!”

            Caellia suddenly realized that he was talking about much more than their current argument. He was talking about that night on the ship!

            He saw the recognition flash through her eyes and snarled at her. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, don’t you?!” The outside edges of his eyes flashed a dark blood red crimson for a brief second as he roared at her angrily. “You know what it is that I need! What I need to hear! You just refuse to acknowledge it! To accept it!” Anger didn’t begin to describe what he felt. “You know what I need and you are purposely withholding it!” His voice lowered to a dangerous rumble that was no less frightening and far more threatening than his previous yelling. “You will accept me Caellia! Before your training here comes to an end, you will accept me! I will leave you with no other choice!”

            Caellia stared at him as the stark reality of her situation abruptly dawned on her. This was what Kattath had tried to warn her about! Suddenly more frightened of him than she’d ever been, Caellia struggled fiercely in his grip, stumbling when she was suddenly free. She wasn’t fooled for an instant into thinking she’d gotten free on her own, he’d let her go. She had to put some distance between them but there was nowhere she could go. She didn’t know anything about this forest. In her fright she’d forgotten which direction they’d come from and couldn’t remember the way back to the broken down house. Her head turned in each direction, desperately wishing for a way out.

            His low, smug laugh rumbled through the air as he released her. In a voice that was rasping and guttural he asked her. “What’s the matter Caellia? Lost?” He laughed openly at the look she sent him before continuing as he walked closer to her, closing the distance she’d put between them. “Follow me.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper as he leaned in close to her ear, “I’ll take you back, since you need me too.” Smirking arrogantly, he snatched her by one arm and half dragged her back to the abandoned house. Nathavin knew he was being inexcusably cruel to her, laughing at her predicament and toying with her while she was in a forest she wasn’t familiar with. His actions were truly deplorable, but for one selfish moment, he wanted her to hurt as much as he was.

            Caellia didn’t miss the true meaning of his last statement. He knew she needed him, knew she needed him for far more than just to lead her back to the abandoned house! His perceptiveness scared her even further and she struggled against him futilely unable to break his grip. Once they reached the old house, she flew to the back wall and nearly plastered herself to it in an attempt to get as far from him as possible. Covering her face with her hands, she began to deeply regret not insisting that others come with them. She could sorely use Kattath’s guidance now.

            Nathavin watched her through slitted and red rimmed eyes before settling himself down to take a very short rest. He meant what he’d said about leaving her with no other choice. She would accept him before her training was through!
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Treason