This is likely to be the final short story as a backstory for my main characters in the upcoming rp.

8 Years later.
18 Years after the attack.

Nuada held his breath as he lay hiding in some thick underbrush. Just a few feet in front of him several Orcs were scouring through the woods to find him. Normally Nuada would not be frightened of just a couple Orcs, but he had been chased relentlessly for the past week with not even a chance for sleep and he was much too exhausted to fight at the moment. The Orcs finally passed by, feeling that the area had been thoroughly searched. Nuada waited a moment more before exhaling quietly and silently praising his ancestors for his fortune.

The Elf crept out of his hiding place and proceeded through the forest towards a small, hidden ravine. He climbed down the narrow passage towards the creek below. When he reached the bottom of the ravine Nuada looked around the area when all of a sudden a sharp point jutted in between his shoulder blades. Nuada froze before hearing the buzz of insect like wings and the tug on his bangs as Ricket leaned from the top of his head into Nuada's face.

"What's the password," Ricket said.

Nuada rolled his eyes, "I am glad to see that you are alright as well."

Ricket stuck out his tongue, "that's not the password."

The point in Nuada's back lifted away, and he turned around to see Raheem standing proudly at having snuck up on the Elf. "There wasn't any password," Nuada replied as he stroked Raheem's mane in thanks. Then very tiredly Nuada walked up to the ravine's wall under a water carved, rock overhang and he fell down to the ground to rest.

Ricket flew after him and took a seat on Nuada's leg. "Yeah well... you should still have known it!"

Nuada smiled at Ricket's joke, going along with it he asked, "ok, well for next time what was the agreed upon password?"

"Snarglerus," Ricket replied enthusiastically.

Nuada closed his eyes, and he answered sleepily, "that's nice..."

Ricket flew up at Nuada's face and slapped him across the nose, jolting him up before he could fall asleep. "HEY," Ricket shouted, "there are still Orcs out there! We can't rest here."

Nuada knew he was right, but he needed to rest soon or else he would just die of exhaustion. "Well then where can we rest Ricket," Nuada asked, slightly annoyed. "Orcs have been chasing us for years now. We rarely get any rest on a good week, and it seems like they are always getting closer and closer."

"Yeah... stupid Orcs, how did they get so smart all of a sudden...," Ricket said to no one in particular. Then the small Fairy thought, really, really hard. "Welllll," Ricket began, "we could always go back to Drey Wood."

Going home certainly was a logical option, but to Nuada it didn't feel right. He couldn't just leave the people outside of Drey Wood to open slaughter by the Orcs. He of course knew he was just one Elf but he had to do everything he could to help those who lived with Orcs marauding through their lands. "No," Nuada replied, "I can't go back... not yet, not now."

Ricket went back to thinking, even harder than before, so hard that it was beginning to hurt his little head. Then an idea popped into his head. Ricket flew to the ground, scooped up a handful of mud and he smeared it above Nuada's upper lip.

Nuada batted the Fairy away, "what are you doing!?!" He shouted, not really angry, just shocked and confused and slightly annoyed.

"Yep, you would make quite a handsome one, but I think we can ugly you up a little bit," Ricket said, ignoring Nuada's protests.

"A handsome one of what," Nuada asked, not following Ricket.

Ricket sighed, it was so hard being around those who could not appreciate his genius. "Just look at your face," he said.

Nuada was still confused, but he pulled out his hunting knife and he used it's reflective edge to look at his face. What he saw was a very tired, and dirty looking Elf with mud on his lip. He looked back at Ricket like he was crazy.

Ricket sighed loudly, "do I have to explain everything? We'll make you look human!"

Nuada was starting to catch on, but he didn't like the sound of the idea. Humans in his experience were a very superstitious folk. They were frightened by anything they did not understand, especially magic. And Humans associated Elves with magic. Some Humans even go as far to accuse Elves of being Demons or evil Spirits. The last time he had introduced himself to a Human it did not end well, so Nuada tried to avoid direct contact with them. "I don't like where this is going...," Nuada said unsure.

"I know, but what choice do we have," Ricket reasoned. "You need to rest, and we can't get any out here with the big meanies constantly hunting us. So if we dirty you up a bit, and you don't bring attention to yourself you could pass off quite well as a Human. Just say you are a traveller at the next village and ask if there is a place to stay for the night. Leave the next morning and no one will ever know."

The plan was pretty good. Nuada was a master of blending in after all. "It seems like a very temporary solution though," he said.

"Well the only 'permanent' solutions are to either go home or kill every Greenskin in the world," Ricket said.

"But what about you, Raheem, and-"

"Stop making excuses," Ricket chided, "we'll be fine. I'm too small to notice and Raheem has magic to help hide him, it is you who needs a place to sleep. Worst case scenario they find out who you are and try and kill you, but we will be nearby so that doesn't happen."

Nuada still wasn't entirely sure, but he was out of excuses. "Alright," he conceded. Nuada stood back up and said, "let's get this over with."

"YAY," Ricket exclaimed, "I will make you the most mediocre looking Human ever!"

***

Nuada looked at his new appearance on the reflective surface of a small pond. His hair was now a much darker blonde, his face was dirty which gave the appearance of age for the Elf, and he was wrapped in a large, old, cloak that hid all of his fine Elvish armor. Nuada was forced to leave his bow with Raheem and Ricket, it was too big to hide and to nice to show to the Humans, but he was able to hide his sword on his back underneath the cloak. Satisfied that his disguise would work well enough Nuada walked away from the pond and towards a small forest path that led to a nearby Human village.

When he reached the path Nuada was relieved to see that no one else was there. He then started down the worn, dirt path towards the village. As he came closer and closer his heartbeat increased and doubts clouded his mind. He almost began sweating when he started to hear the far off voices of Humans living their everyday lives. Then finally there ahead of him he could see the wooden wall and watch towers of the Human settlement. Nuada brought the hood of his cloak up. He wanted nothing more than to hide into the forest like he usually did, but this time he had to remain visible. It was not something he was used to. And then he was there, in front of the gate.

"What do ya want," the watchman from behind the gate called out through a small hole in the wall.

"I'm just looking for a place to rest for a day or two," Nuada said in a lowered, rough voice as he tried his best to match the accent of the watchman.

The watchman looked Nuada over for a moment more, "alright, come on in then." The watchman unbraced the gate and it swung open slowly.

Nuada walked in and nodded in thanks to the watchman before proceeding into the village. The village was as crude as the wooden wall that protected it. The buildings looked like they would all be very cold in the coming winter and the streets were all just heavily trampled, mud roads. There were a few large gardens on the outer edge of the village but for the most part the settlement was just a congregation of homes all crowded in together as closely as possible. Nuada explored the streets, trying to understand what each establishment offered in services. He passed by a meat shop, a clothier, a blacksmith, and an apothecary. After some exploring Nuada asked around to find a place to stay and he was directed to the northern edge of the village.

There he found a boarding house with a vacancy. The owner was a gruff looking man by the name of Jeb. Nuada quickly picked up that Jeb was not the most sociable man in the world, but he seemed fair and trustworthy enough. Nuada introduced himself as Michael and then he asked if he could have a room there. For payment Nuada offered some copper coins he had obtained awhile ago off of some Orcs. They seemed to suffice and so Jeb had his daughter Ellie show Nuada to his room.

Nuada followed Ellie up a creaking flight of stairs to the second floor where his room was. "Meals are served twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening," Ellie explained, "if you are late then you don't get anything. Do not make a mess, do not be a bother for my dad or the other tenants, and do not bring trouble here. Do you got that?"

"Yes, I believe so," Nuada replied as they reached his room. He peered inside, it was quite crude, the only furnishings were a couple wooden crates which could be used for chairs, tables, or storage and a straw mattress with a wool blanket on the ground.

As Nuada passed Ellie in the cramped doorway the young girl stopped him and leaned in close to him. "And if you get cold, or just lonely, my room is just down the hall," she said very forcefully.

Nuada was taken aback at being approached like this, especially since this girl seemed barely a woman. "I will keep that in mind," Nuada replied awkwardly.

Ellie smiled, "you do that then." Without another word Ellie walked off down the hall and back down the stairs, Nuada watched her go and when she left he scorned himself for his immoral thoughts.

Nuada closed the door and dropped his belongings onto the ground. He looked at the straw bed, and he wondered whether he would get more flees sleeping there or on the wooden floor. In the end he ignored his discomfort and he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. It was only the afternoon but as soon as his eyes closed he was asleep.

***

Nuada was awoken the next morning by a light tapping on his door. "Breakfast is up Michael," came Ellie's disappointed voice from the other side of the door.

The Elf sat up and stretched his aching muscles. It felt good to get several hours of continuous sleep, he decided he would take it easy for a couple days before joining back up with his friends. Nuada came down stairs to the kitchen where breakfast was being served to a crowded table of tenants. Jeb ate his breakfast in silence and everyone else at the table tried to avoid eye contact with him. Nuada reluctantly took a seat two seats away from Jeb and while he was putting food on his plate Ellie sat down between Jeb and Nuada.

"Good morning Michael, did you sleep well," Ellie asked, sounding a bit hurt.

"Yes, I was alright...," Nuada said uncomfortably.

Jeb eyed up Nuada, clearly he had a feeling as to what was going on. Nuada just kept his head down and ate his food.

After a very uncomfortable breakfast Nuada left the house to explore the village. It had been a long time since Nuada had been in contact with so many people who weren't trying to kill him. Nuada looked at the various small stores selling their wares. Although they were crude by Elf standards much of the wares had a rustic charm to them. Nuada found a blacksmith working in his forge. He was at the moment making some horseshoes but on his wall there were other things he had built: a plow, several hammers, gardening tools, a couple axes, and a pair of swords. Nuada examined the craftsmanship on the swords, they were made of iron and although simple Nuada saw the small bits of ornamentation the blacksmith put on them to make them stand out: their guards were curved at the end in a swirl and the wooden handles had some carvings of animals and abstract images.

While Nuada was examining the swords he heard a bell ringing at the center of the village. Nuada looked around and saw people all running towards the village center. Curious he started to follow them. As he got closer to where the bell had been ringing he began to hear a man speaking: "For the ruthless murder of Jack Hoothering, for the continued use of dark arts, and for the summoning of beasts we here by sentence you to death." There were many loud cheers.

Nuada finally came upon a large crowd of villagers gathered around a platform on which stood several guards, a man who seemed to be in charge, and a woman tied to a post on top of a pile of wood.

The man in charge began speaking again after the cheering died down. "Do you have any last words before we send you to the other world," he asked of the woman tied to the post.

"Yes I do," she said with courage and confidence in the face of imminent death, "Jack attacked me! I defended myself! This isn't fair! Are you all mad!? You all knew how Jack was, I bet you at least a score of women in this village could attest to how he violated them, but when he tried to touch me I was not going to put up with it."

"That matters not," the man said, "you are still a murderer and a witch."

"I have only ever used my magic to help defend you people, and this is how you thank me," the woman asked pleadingly of the crowd.

"Burn her," the crowd shouted back. They then all started cheering again.

The man in charge raised his hands to quiet them down. "Alright, that is enough," he then turned to the woman tied to the post, "for your crimes we here by sentence you to death by fire, may whatever god or demon you believe in have mercy on your soul." The guards on the stage took up torches and started walking towards the pile of wood at the woman's feet.

Out of nowhere Nuada jumped up on the stage and drew his knife as he stood between the woman and the approaching guards.

The man in charge was shocked, he had not seen Nuada coming until he was right in front of him, "who the hell are you?"

"I want to know why this woman is being killed," Nuada demanded, ignoring the man's question.

"I already told you, she is being killed for witchcraft and murdering Jack Hoothering," the man said.

"Did this man truly try to attack her," Nuada asked.

"It doesn't matter, she still killed him."

"That makes no sense. Everyone has a right to defend themselves," Nuada argued back.

"Sir, I have had enough," the man said, sounding very angry, "if you do not step aside then we will kill you along with her."

The woman behind Nuada just watched the whole seen with a lot of confusion.

"That will not happen," Nuada threatened. In a flash he whipped off his cloak and threw it in the face of the closest guard while at the same time he kicked the stunned guard back off the platform and into the crowd. The other guards set their torches aside and began to draw their weapons, but Nuada drew his sword faster and he stabbed one man in his blade arm before he could even draw his weapon. Nuada turned to face the other guards who looked quite nervous now.

Then in the crowd he heard someone cry out, "he's an Elf!"

Some people started to scream as they noticed Nuada's pointed ears and his unusual armor and weapons.

The man in charge had already retreated from the stage and was issuing orders to other guards. Out of the crowd came running forward several dozen warriors wielding spears, swords, and axes.

Nuada looked around, he was clearly surrounded and he had no chance of escape. He walked back towards the woman and he whispered, "tell me the truth, is what you said true? Were you attacked? Was this man you killed an evil man?"

The woman stared at the Elf intensely, shocked to see him so close. She stuttered as she began to talk, "y-yes, it was true. He tried to...violate me, I only defended myself."

Nuada nodded, although she was nervous he did not hear any lie in her voice. "Very well," he said.

The guards were closing in and one said, "surrender now spirit and your death will be swift."

"Yeah," another chimed in, "there is no where to go. You can't beat us all."

Nuada smiled, "I have no intentions to." Then Nuada looked up to the sky and shouted as loudly as he could, "Gwindalor!"

The village went silent for a moment and then in the tops of the trees branches started to snap. Someone saw what was coming and screamed in terror. Out of the sky the enoromous, green, serpetnine form of a Dragon came gliding down to the ground. The ground shook with his weight when he landed and he roared so loudly it violently shook all of the buildings in the village. People went running in every direction, terrified for their lives. The guards looked around at each other a few still approached and in response the Dragon beat it's great wings sending a strong gust of wind that knocked the nearest guards down onto the ground. The guards panicked and got up and started fleeing as well.

With the guards retreating Nuada turned to the woman tied to the post and cut her free with one slash of his sword. She looked quite worried, but also thankful for being saved. Nuada then led her to Gwindalor and the Dragon kneeled down to the ground. Nuada hopped up on the Dragon's shoulders and he lowered his hand to the woman, "if you want to live, come with me."

The speechless woman gave a worried look at the Dragon, then she took Nuada's hand and he pulled her up behind him. With the pair safely on his back Gwindalor stood back up. With a strong beat of his wings the Dragon started climbing up into the air. And then they were above the trees and Gwindalor soared away into the distance.

***

The half naked Nuada waded into the frigid water of a small, forest pond. Up on a small ledge above the lake Gwindalor intently watched the surroudning woods for any movement. Below him the woman they had rescued sat on some large boulders while Nuada washed in the pond.

Although the water was cold Nuada was not worried of catching a cold, his Elvish body was resistance to most diseases but the water was still very cold. He took in a deep breath and then without a pausing he through himself below the water. A moment later he shot back up and he rubbed his bare arms trying to bring warmth back into them. While Nuada washed out the dirt in his hair he turned to the woman they had rescued. She was quite beautiful with stark black hair, flawless, pale skin, eyes you could get lost in, and she was also quite... well endowed if you were into that sort of thing. She wore a heavy black dress with gray fur trim. "So," Nuada began, "do you have a name?" Nuada closed his eyes at how ridiculous his question was; of course she had a name!?

The woman seemed to not mind, "my name is Eve, Eve Hexe." Nuada saw that Eve was thinking about something, then she ignored it and asked, "what is your name?"

"I am Nuada Airgetlam, and this is my friend Gwindalor," Nuada motioned towards the Dragon who nodded in acknowledgment.

Eve looked cautiously at the Dragon. "I had always heard that Dragons ate beautiful girls, not saved them...," she said in a tentative joke.

Gwindalor turned towards Eve and replied, "my palate did once desire the flesh of man, how time and life move and change, now your flesh is to me bland, and this vegetated fate I would not change."

Eve turned and cocked an inquistive eye at Nuada.

Nuada shrugged, "he likes to rhyme." Now that the Elf was cleaned up he hurriedly walked out of the water and wrapped himself in a blanket to dry off.

Gwindalor's gaze focused on something in the distance, "the chattery one approaches, astride the one of beauty and grace, long swift are his paces, to our enemies not a trace."

A few moments later Raheem came walking out of the forest and onto the shore of the pond. On top of his head was Ricket.

"Aha!," Ricket exclaimed. The Fairy flew up infront of Nuada's face, "so what happened to 'sticking to the plan'?"

Nuada gestured towards Eve.

Ricket looked over, from his expression it was clear he had not noticed her until now. "Oh, hi there, how do you do?"

"Quite alright," Eve replied.

Ricket looked back to Nuada for an explanation. "They were going to kill her for killing someone out of defense and for using magic, I obviously could not leave her there," Nuada explained.

Ricket thought about it and then reluctantly said, "I suppose... did you get a good night's sleep though!?!?"

Nuada chuckled, "yes, I feel much better."

"Well that is good," Ricket said. Then he fluttered over to Eve, "HI! I'm Ricket!" The Fairy held out a hand.

Eve looked at the odd, little fairy, and then took his hand and said, "I'm Eve Hexe, it is nice to meet you."

Ricket stared intently at Eve, "I feel like we have met before...."

"I am sure you say that to everyone," Eve replied sarcastically.

Ricket laughed, "you are much funnier than Nuada."

"Thanks Ricket," Nuada put in while he was putting back on his clothes and armor.

Ricket flew about the clearing, "you're welcome!"

"Oh," Nuada added, "and this is Raheem."

Raheem bowed politely to Eve.

Eve was quite enamored by the Unicorn, "this is quite an interestng group. You know, some people think you all don't even exist."

Ricket stopped flying about and he looked like he might cry. Then he fell to the ground and started breathing hard as he clutched his chest. He reached up into the air as if asking for help, then slunk back down limply with his tounge hanging out as he stared off emptily into the distance.

Eve was shocked, "wha- what did I do?"

"You said people don't believe in Fairies," Nuada answered.

"And that killed him," she asked sounding terribly, regretful.

"No, Ricket is just being silly like usual."

Ricket sat back up and glared at Nuada, "hey! I wanted to see tears before you gave me away."

Nuada chuckled, "sorry, but we have to get going." The Elf finished putting on his weapons and cloak and stood ready to leave.

"Ooo, where are we going next," Ricket asked eagerly.

"First we are going to the next village to drop off Eve," Nuada replied.

"Um, I don't think so," Eve said.

"I'm sorry, but your place is with your own people. You can't stay with us."

"Ok," Eve replied, a sound of anger in her voice, "if you take me back what is to stop them for killing me for witchcraft as well? Or even if they are accepting of magic what if one of the villager's from my village passes through and points me out?"

Nuada thought about it, "it is too dangerous to stay with us. We are constantly fighting greenskins, I can't worry about protecting you."

Eve smirked, "who says I need protecting? I know quite a bit of magic and I have fought off Orcs for my village before with my powers. I can handle myself in a fight."

"And yet you were captured by those in your village," Nuada pointed out.

Eve glared back at him, "that is because they surprised me, and if I tried to fight back they would have killed me right there, I was waiting for a chance to escape, which you provided thank you very much."

"Alright," Nuada conceded, "you can stay with us for the time being till we find a safe place for you to stay."

Eve nodded, "sounds good to me."

"Alright."

"Well ok."

"I guess we should get going then," Nuada suggested.

"I think we better have," Eve agreed.

***

The smell of fire and death mingled with the smell of filth as the prisoners were dragged through the muddy streets of the village to the town center. The surviving villagers were all gathered around the platform while the Orcs and Goblins poked and prodded them to keep in line.

The Elder of the village was forced to kneel on the platform and wait. Then the stage shook as a large, hulking Orc climbed up the step and towards the Elder. The enormous, one-eyed Orc towered over the quivering Elder.

For a long time Grimgor just stared at the cowering man, enjoying the sight of his fear. Then he said, "now, I only gonna ask dis once. Was der an Elf 'ere?"

"Y-yes," the terrified Elder sputtered out.

"Good," Grimgor replied, "now wh'erd dis Elf go?"

The Elder pointed up at the broken tree branches. "He-, he-, he had a Dragon, and they flew away."

Grimgor didn't look too happy. "Did ye see wh'erd dey went?"

The Elder nodded, "they flew off that way when last we saw them." The Elder pointed Northeast.

Grimgor nodded appreciatively, "you 'id good. And fer dat you's get to keep yer lifes." He turned and shouted at all of the Humans, "you get to keep all yer lifes!"

The nervous Humans looked slightly less worried, but they were still scared nonetheless.

"Yup," Grimgor said. "I 'ike da talky ones. Dats why yous get to keep 'er tounge too," Grimgor said to the Elder with a wicked grin.

The Elder started to breath more heavily than before, "wha-wha-"

Grimgor interrupted him as he addressed his Ork and Goblin Boyz, "cut off der tounges 'n der ears 'n burn out der eyes."

The villagers screamed and started trying to flee or fight back, but the large Orcs easily forced them down to the ground.

Grimgor then added, "except dis one," he motioned to the Elder, "dis one keeps 'is tounge, 'e's a talky." Grimgor grinned back at the terrified looking Elder as a pair of his Boyz approached with a hot iron.

The man screamed in agony and terror as Grimgor walked away, and his screams were soon joined by the screams of the rest of the villagers as well.