Leave Me Lonely

The king never stopped trying to force his idea of power upon him.

He cornered Nuada when he was on his way to the glade, and thrust a spear into his arms.
“We’re going hunting.” He declared while walking forward.
“Why?” Nuada asked. “The cellars are well stocked.”
“For sport! For pride, and strength!” Then as he walked by his son, he said so only he could hear, “...and you need both.”

The king sought to draw out the day, and he succeeded. He knew Nuada would fell any game the instant he saw it, so he sang boastful songs, and had his men clatter their shields.
Nuada was already tense, worried, and their combined obnoxiousness overwhelmed him. He was amazed to see any game at all within earshot of the group, so when he did, he urged his horse and tore after it like the wind.
Fear quickened the deers stride, and Nuada grieved even as he settled into his breath.

“Maith dom é.”

Nuada launched his spear while his horse galloped through the trees… a feat none of them had ever witnessed before. A feat none of them had even heard of before… a feat Nuada had never even attempted.
His aim wasn’t to impress, or even the kill.

…It was just to be done with it.

Even his father couldn't contain his awe as Nuada shot off at a speed he knew none could match.

He had never liked feeling angry, and he had never felt this angry in his life. Why? He wracked his mind.

His horse had slowed gradually as he became absorbed in his own thoughts… their frantic yells pierced his ears, and he was present once more.

“Look at its eyes!”

Nuada's mouth went dry.

“It’s not human.”

He kicked forward with urgency, and leapt off his horse just before the entrance to the path. He didn’t make the landing. He didn’t care. He scrambled forward as the shouts continued.

“Síofra!” He heard just as he rounded the corner.

Lasair was on his knees, arms not raised in defence but open, in confusion, in offering.

The boys didn’t care.

“You think you can trick us with that face?”
Lasair flinched. “No, I’m… I’m looking for…”
They didn’t listen.

They rushed him.

“STAND DOWN!”

Nuada’s voice was like tempered iron drawn across stone.

To Lasair he looked like one of the Tuatha himself. He stood at the ridge of the path, eyes bright with a cold fury, still covered in grime from the hunt he didn’t want to attend.

“Tíarna!” The boys called to him as if his order hadn’t been meant for them. “We’ve got it cornered! Finish it!”
“I said STOP.”  Nuada descended the path, for a second, none of them moved, but when Nuada reached them, the boys dropped their ‘weapons’, heads held low.
“Apologies, Tíarna.” They muttered, but Nuada wasn’t satisfied.
“Why to me? Apologize to him.”
They scoffed in earnest. One chuckled, but when Nuada's face didn’t change, they grew genuinely confused.
Lasair stepped forward.

“It’s alright, Nuada.”

Nuada tried not to let the fear show, but sure enough they latched onto it.

“It just called you by your name!” They pointed, and they smiled, like the offense was the signal of the start of a game. “To name the crowned is an offence! Now you have to kill-”
Nuada didn’t need to rush them, or even put his hand on his sword. He simply squared himself to them, stood straight and firm. “Leave.” His voice was cold as deep winter.

When they were gone, Nuada turned to him.

“Lasair…” he started, but stopped when he saw the mark on his shoulder.
Lasair was always dirty, like a child on a secret quest, but this was sharp, dented, made by impact. Nuadas’ eyes were blurry but he could see the rocks scattered at Lasair's feet.
“You didn’t come,” Lasair whispered. “So I… I thought…”
Nuada’s hands shook , and he clenched his fists at his side. “I should have warned you. I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Lasair said, quietly, confused.
“I know.”
“So why…?”
Nuada’s jaw worked for a moment before he could answer.

“Remember when we met?” Nuada asked, and Lasair beamed at the memory like he’d already forgotten the cruelty.
“Of course!” He chimed, and Nuada felt weak.
“Do you remember when I told you that hate often comes from fear?”
At that, Lasair scratched his cheek and looked up. “Mmm, not really.”
Nuada smiled, he couldn’t help it, but he went on gravely.

“Some people fear what they don’t understand, and sometimes Lasair, they’ll hurt you because it’s easier than understanding you.”
Lasair looked down at his scraped palms. “That’s awful.”
“It is.” Nuada said in a tired tone. The wind rustled the leaves, gentle despite everything. “Will you hate them back?” Nuada asked.
Lasair shook his head slowly. “No… but I don’t think I’ll forgive them, either.”
Nuada gave a breathy laugh. “That’s more human than you know.”
“Good,” Lasair said. “Because I still love you.”