Mschief & Elves

[marchwarden]

Characters: Haldir (marchwarden) & OPEN
Setting: The meadow (Floor Twenty-Five)
Format: Beginning with "Action" tags, but prose is always welcomed
Summary: After causing a bit of a ruckus for all to see, the march warden decides to take refuge within the meadow to avoid trouble.


[ After successfully making his way towards the meadow unnoticed by Legolas and his party, Haldir finally breathes a sigh of relief. A faint smirk lingered on his lips as he admired the chaos he caused earlier. It seems that his little ruckus definitely stirred some interesting debate amongst others. Many laughed and many more gossiped about the possible liaisons between the fair Princess of Hyrule and the even fairer Prince of Mirkwood. While he was certain that both knew such talk was made in mere jest, Haldir couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered how flushed with anger Legolas' face became when he tossed these wild allegations around.

Knowing sooner or later he'll have to face the younger elf for his wicked deeds, Haldir decided he'll enjoy a momentary reprieve from the chaos here within this beautiful meadow. The meadow was perhaps the only place here in all of Animus that somewhat reminded the march warden of home. As bold and arrogant as Haldir may seem, the elf certainly pines for home. He's done much to keep such melancholy at bay but nothing here in this tower could recreate the beauty that is Lothlórien.

Now sitting down upon a peaceful hill, Haldir simply closes his eyes and listens to the sweet silence. ]

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[fatherssins]

"Oh, sweet Haldir."

Alucard whispered, his voice laced with that unique accent, his tone gentle in almost loving in a way. His eyes were full of tenderness and pity as he stepped towards the Elf. Unable to restrain himself he lifted his hand and ran the curled backs of his fingers down the Elf's cheek.

"I have bewitched you,"

The dhampir said simply, with a hint of guilt.

"Your kind, Elves, as I see it, need life and the light. I am--"

A pained pause, his brow furrows with anguish.

"--I am neither of those things. I should have been more honest with you, perhaps from the outset I should have told you more of what I am. I am part human, as I said, but the other half of me is a demon. The devil."

Which was not, strictly speaking, that far from the truth as it was said that Dracula had sold both his and his son's souls to Satan for more power.

"I am part Nosferatu, Vampire if you will, a creature of the night with the blackest of souls. Every part of me is meant to lull you into a feeling of security, of safety, because my kind is meant to prey on the living. On sweet mortals. I would not doom you to be here with me and I could not, with my unending life it would be too cruel for both of us."

Finally he pulled away his gloved hand, a heart-broken expression on his face.

"I would have you as a companion... if I knew for certain that it would not condemn you to Hell. The blood of another innocent on my hands is too much for me to bear."

[marchwarden]

The sudden touch nearly made Haldir jump but the elf retained his dignity and did not. Instead, he stared at Alucard with wide and anxious eyes as the dhampir spoke so pitifully of the truth. He knew deep down that there was something different about the nobleman, that was quite obvious. However, for the elf to find himself allegedly bewitched by a "demon" certainly wasn't what Haldir had in mind. He could almost see nothing demonic about Alucard at all. He seemed more "angelic" than anything else. Alucard possesses a kind soul, one that radiates a warmth that Haldir hadn't felt in years. Yet the nobleman also possesses a strange coldness that spoke of that death and fear. He knew that if he continued to pursue the dhampir that something horrible may fall upon him. Haldir may not know what vampires are but he certainly know what demons are.

Wondering vaguely if he could possibly love a creature spawned from the blackest souls and night itself, Haldir found himself in a similar dilemma to that of fair Lúthien of tales old. She was the daughter Elu Thingol, King of Doriath, and his Queen, Melian the Maia. Most praised for her ethereal beauty, Lúthien was the first elf ever to seek unity with that of a mere man and not another of her elven kind. Such a decision sparked much controversy during that time and even now many elves couldn't believe the stories that circulate around her name. Remembering how Lúthien's love for Beren led her to an early grave, Haldir shivered at the thought of forsaking eternity for the sake of love.

He couldn't hold Alucard's gaze now, his eyes wandering elsewhere as he mentally berates himself for being so foolish. What the dhampir spoke was true. If he subjects himself to such a life, then what's to say that this midsummer amour would last? It's foolish for an elf to take such a risk when there are other options given. Yet after three thousand long and quite lonesome years, Haldir was saw more promise in Alucard than anyone else. Uncertain as to what to do or even say, the elf's embarrassment suddenly took root as he fixed a glare upon the gentle demon.

"Condemn me?" He scoffed at that. "You think of your tainted blood too highly if you honestly believe you'll condemn me to such misery." Haldir can do that all by himself, Alucard.

[fatherssins]

Such tenderness was now in the dhampir's eyes, he was confused and lost in a situation so alien to him he did not know how to respond. There had been times when mortals had pledged themselves to him, but upon hearing the truth they had been more than eager to leave his side.

So why was it that Haldir did not feel the same?

"Does it not frighten you?"

The halfblood asked him gently, baffled that anyone would not feel terror at these revelations.

"Vampires are known to drain the blood of their victims, usually until death. It is what sustains them, as water and food would sustain a man."

He pauses before adding quickly, as if to quell some potential worries in Haldir.

"I have never fed on an innocent, and have no intention to, but there are times when I worry that I will not be able to control myself."

This was the most honest Alucard had ever been with anyone before, he found it so difficult to talk about his cursed heritage.

[marchwarden]

Straightening his back and looking Alucard squarely within his eyes, the elf's response was one that spoke of boundless pride. The dhampir might think of himself as some dangerous and shameless beast but of course Haldir knows the truth. He knew the only reason why Alucard said such things earlier was because he couldn't possibly believe there's someone in this world who doesn't fear him. While the mere villagers may have feared the Shadow of Nosferatu, Haldir certainly did not. If anything, the march warden felt insulted that Alucard would even think such a truth could possibly deter him. Obviously the Son of Count Dracula has never met an elf like Haldir before.

"I shall have you know-" he began with such arrogance in tone. "That I've stared into the Eyes of Death itself and hardly blinked. I laid waste to hundreds of foul smelling Uruk-Hai before my untimely demise and even then I didn't show a hint of fear. Therefore, what makes you so certain that I would be frighten by you? Just because you're a tad...odd?" Haldir paused briefly. "Well, very odd. Drinking blood is quite...odd. Yes, I suppose that is rather odd--I mean, strange! Yes, rather strange..." His previously proud demeanor faltered a bit as he thought more on this perplexing dilemma.

"You've never drank the blood of innocents?" he uttered in mild wonder. "Then does that mean you've drank the blood of your foes instead? If so, what if you have no foes? Then what?" The elf fell silent for a brief moment, obviously a tad vexed here. "Does that mean you would feed from me? If so I would gladly do so--" A pause. "Well, not gladly but I suppose I could spare." As Alucard may have suspected, the elf was rambling now and aimlessly at that.

"I suppose it would have to come to that if...well..yes. The two of us, together."

A long silence ensues between them.

[fatherssins]

The confusion that had remained in the dhampir's eyes for some time now was finally beginning to subside. And to replace it? The tenderest of looks, the most loving of gazes. What had he done to deserve such praise, such unyielding trust? Haldir's words were reaching past the cool bravado of Alucard's exterior and touching his heart. No, caressing it.

"You accept me? Cursed as I am?"

The dhampir was at a loss for words, nobody had ever been so keen to show this level of comfort around him, and he couldn't help but smile as he listened to Haldir ramble on. In truth he found it endearing.

"You have many questions, that's quite understandable. Let me try to answer to the best of my ability."

He clears his throat and continues.

"You're quite right in your assumption, I have fed on my foes. Doing so renews my strength and can occasionally offer me more stamina and power than I am accustomed to. But due to my human mother I do not have the same dire need as a fully-blooded vampire to feed, and I find that although it does not offer me the same sustenance, human food can sate my hunger for a time."

And now to tackle the slightly more vexing of question:

"I should not feed from you Haldir, it would pain you -I imagine- for me to do so and as it stands I have the willpower to hold back from feeding on others. I suppose that my major concern is that over time my desire to feed might get the better of me. But I suppose when that happens someone will come and stop me, as others have been stopped.

Now knowing what you know, you still feel content to tarry by my side?"

[marchwarden]

Once everything was explained, Haldir found himself now more willing to see how far this strange relationship goes more than ever before. What made him hesitate earlier was the beast-like nature of Alucard's need to feed. Now if Alucard ever needed the elf's aid in order to sustain his life, then Haldir would offer himself to the dhampir in hopes of easing his hunger. However, if such tactics could be avoided, Haldir would he happier not offering himself to Alucard in such a way. Judging by how Alucard only uses his fangs on foes and enemies alike, the march warden assumed that this "feeding" is typically fatal. If there's one thing that all elves fear, it's the thought of death.

Replying to Alucard with a curt nod, Haldir inches closer to the dhampir and smiles. "I do believe you've answered all of my questions." he replied quietly. "I see no need for me to worry now. It seems we've reached some kind of...understanding."

[fatherssins]

Alucard wasn't quite sure to the nature of this understanding, and perhaps if he had been in a more pensive mood he may not have asked and simply assumed the worst, being the pesimist he was, but this was far too important to just guess at.

With some hesitation (concerned that the answer may not be to his liking) the half vampire finally asked:

"What kind of understanding is it that we have come to?"

Of course Alucard's deepest fear now was that Haldir had decided that the dhampir was far too dangerous to socialise with and that the two of them would no longer be friends. He had grown so fond of the elf over the past few days that the idea of losing his new found friend disturbed him greatly.