The King's Invitation

A roleplay transcript by Malekith, Coraline and Etain

Two extraordinarily beautiful nymphs greet you as you come upon their sanctuary. "Hello," offers the smaller of the two. She has long, wavy hair. Her kind, but alert, eyes matching the softest green of the bryony blossoms weaved into thin braids at her crown. Her name is Bryonia. "What offerings do you provide today?" She looks down toward your hands and Freesia, the other nymph with lavender hair, steps forward. "Welcome to Moonflower Hollow," she says as a curly lock sweeps across her forehead, but she pays it no mind as she watches you closely. If you have an offering to present, you can allow Freesia to accept it, or one of the nymphs in the hollow will accompany you down to the alter where you may sit and present your gifts. If there is no offering, you will be turned away. (Etain Moonflower)

"I am so happy you could make it," Etain Moonflower's voice rang out softly as she made her way through the wild grasses and flowers. She came to a stop just behind Freesia and Bryonia, the two nymphs parting and bowing slightly to their sister. Etain favored him with a smile and reached her hands out to him to take his own when he stepped forward. "I am Etain Moonflower, Malekith Helerodis, King of Ansa`fel, and I welcome you. We…" she half-turned her head in a gesture that said she included all of her nymph sisters. "welcome you here with us." Although the two had never met in person, Etain had met with Malekith many times in dreams.

Malekith Helerodis made his way down to the Hollow. He carried a small decorative box with him that was beautiful in its own right but what was inside, was the real gift. When he rounded the pillar into the hollow he stopped short of its entrance and waited as the two smaller Nymphs had greeted him, looking for his offering which he had provided to the first. Inside she would find a beautifully crafted hand-mirror that was clearly one of a kind and of highest quality. It appeared to be made from gold, or at the very least coated in it. He smiled and only nodded his head. "Thank you." when the taller Nymph approached he glanced up to her. " I am happy to be here, Etain. " he approached her and reached out to take her hand as it was offered.

She squeezed it softly, her lips parting to show small and even white teeth. "Let us take wine and find a place to settle?" She nodded at Margariett, though there was no need as the nymphs, seen and unseen, had turned their attention toward the high elf king, and their queen, when she greeted him. She laced her fingers with his as she led him down toward one of the grassy mounds, and stood with him there at her side. "This is Moonflower Hollow," she continued as they looked out over the vividly colorful flowers and moss and grass. The aromatics rose all around them and were strongly fragrant yet not too overpowering, but it was Etain's personal scent that would truly permeate their small space. A rich concoction of moonflowers and lilacs and rose. "Margariett will bring us wine. I hear you are quite fond of it," she said at length. (Etain Moonflower)

Malekith Helerodis nodded his head when Etain suggest they sit and drink. He, for a moment, glanced to her hand when she laced fingers with his and led him around to the other side of the Hollow. His attention was of course immediately stolen by the beauty of the place, but of course such beautiful things would be here in Ansa`fel. "It is truly beautiful." he says as he looked towards her, taking the moment to admire the beauty of Etain in her little amount of clothing, little to the imagination. He smiled slightly and then glanced back out at the hollow, taking in the scents… hers in particular. " Wine? Yes, I do enjoy my wine… it is very kind of you to offer."

She turned to gaze at him then, her eyes roaming over his tall and well built form as if she saw him for the first time, which it was not if she counted the visions. She released his hand. "I like your energy, Malekith Helerodis, King of Ansa`fel." She took pause and then nodded silently, allowing her eyes to sweep over him again. "Let's remove your clothing. Iris?" (Etain Moonflower)

As quickly as she had uttered the name, a tall nymph with bold, purple flowers entwined in a thick, golden mop of hair appeared near. "Please," Etain said, nodding toward the devilishly handsome elf. "I want to bring you into the waters below where we may be cloaked in utmost privacy." Her smile, ever present, never faded. "Unless you have an aversion to water?" (Etain Moonflower)

Malekith Helerodis only smiled in response to her comment of his energy. When she suggested that he removed his clothing he did slightly tilt his head but realized then the Nymph wanted him in their water and he nodded, turning his head towards the pool. "I see." he had already begun to unbutton his coat to remove. "I have no issue with the water, no." he began to remove his coat then and handed it off to the other Nymph if that was why she was there, otherwise he would settle it on the ground.

Iris accepted his clothing, laying it neatly on the lush bed of grass beside them and took to unbuttoning his britches. She slid his pants down so they pooled at his feet where he could step out of them so she could retrieve them and his discarded boots. She made quick work of the clothing and moved out of their sight. (Etain Moonflower)

Etain's eyes glistened, and she turned away from him to lead them down the natural steps flowing into the water, "Watch your footing, please." When they stepped into the pool, the hollow seemed to grow hushed. No other nymphs or visitors could be seen, and neither could they be seen. "Let us sit here a spell," she said as she lowered herself into the blanket of welcoming water. Margariett appeared as soon as they both sat, and she offered them glasses of wine. Etain took it and leaned into the the billowing bed of morning glories at her back. "I would like you relaxed fully. Let us drink first. Can you clear your mind, or do you need assistance?" (Etain Moonflower)

Malekith Helerodis easily removed his clothing, he was clearly not shy to be in the nude. When the other Nymph made off with his clothes he looked back to watch where she stored them then returned his attention back to Etain. "Thank you." he followed her down the naturally formed rock and dirt steps into the pool where he dipped into the water and made himself comfortable. As the wine was brought to them he took his and admired the glass. "Pretty.. "he commented before taking a drink of the wine, enjoying the taste as he swallowed. "Very nice.." his eyes moved over to Etain. "This is a lovely spell.." he had another sip of the wine, eagerly swallowing it and when she asked he pondered the question, he could clear his mind, but he was curious. "A little assistance may be needed."

She smiled at that. The nymphs loved their delicate crystals formed into nature shapes. These particular glasses had been molded into the form of small birds. Her wine, a soft creamy lavender, both sweet and smooth today, held sprigs of lavender out the flute-end of its tail. "These are fresh harvests. Wine is made here daily." She turned her head to him. He held her attention fully. "Are you hungry?" She supped of her wine and then placed it on the flat surface of a nearby rock. She stood, water dripping downward over her skin as she removed her cape and let it fall to the vines. "Your journey here begins with relaxation," she said, her voice silken as she stood before him. "May I touch you and bring you peace?" A shroud of misty blue-green seemed to rise from the water and surface up in the tree tops, then lowered to meet each other in harmony. They were completely surrounded by nothing and everything. Birds chirped, and were faint. Bees hummed, their sounds mellowing. Flowers danced, their fragrance weaving together in the air and beckoning all to listen to their murmuring and watch.

Malekith Helerodis took a drink from the wine again as he watched her closely, the Nymph was a curious creature to him and he enjoyed her company thus far. "Its wonderful." he added, regarding the wine. With her offering of food he shook his head, refusing. "That is fine, thank you." When Etain stood up he glanced up at her, eyes falling of course to the curves of her form, they were perfect. He grinned and took another sip of the wine and he followed her cape while it fell with his eyes and looked back up to her mid section, the tiny string of metal was all that covered her, or tried. Eyes moved back up to meet with hers and he nodded. " Do what you wish with me. This will only take longer if you must keep asking permission." he grinned boldly. Taking a deep breath he leaned back into the water and awaited her treatment. His eyes closing for a moment to listen as the sounds began to change as well as their surroundings. He did not seem worried, somewhat at peace. And despite the temperature of the water, he remained cool to the touch.

Coraline glided into the hollow, sitting down to lounge on the flowered terrace above the water, and listen to its babble.

She smiled but said nothing, and took a step closer, lowering herself onto his lap, her legs folded comfortably on either side of him. Her fingers settled on his shoulders, and she squeezed at skin and muscle. They sat there in that way for a minute or more. "Close your eyes. Deep breaths. Let your mind travel through the darkness. Search for the light." Etain felt a familiar presence through the fabric of the hollow, and summoned the spirit, dropping the veil so that only she may enter. She gave Coraline a smile when she quietly joined them, and as quickly as Etain had been seated, she stood, making a new seat beside him, her skin still pressed upon his. "My sister Coraline joins us to aid you in your course to serenity." (Etain Moonflower)

Coraline (corey.dallas) sensing her sister nymph below, peered over the ledge to see her as her voice reached her ears. She saw a handsome stranger sitting in the water with Etain and she slid over and glided down the steps to the water to sit beside them. "Hello, Etain. I didn't realize you were here at first. I see you have company. I hope I am not disturbing." She smiled warmly at the stranger, "Hello, sir. I am called Coraline. Aren't our waters relaxing?"

Malekith Helerodis sat his wine down on a surface he believed it would be fine on while they continued. He opened his eyes to watch her and when she sat down onto his lap he could not help but once more look at her chest as it was there in his face. He grinned and looked up at her face and while she said it he would comply. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath while she straddled him. The warmth of the water washed over him and the soothing sounds of the hollow filled his mind, his body was tense and hard, but slowly it seemed to relax, in a way it had not in a long time. When Etain mentioned another he opened his eyes for a moment to meet with Coraline, he nodded his head. "Coraline. A pleasure." he grinned after looking this one over as well and closed his eyes again. " They truly are…" his words seemed to drift off as he became more relaxed and his mind cleared.

She said nothing about the coolness of his skin, her fingers dancing over his upper arm and left side of his neck, squeezing with enough firmness to draw him closer into relaxation. Her smile deepened at her sister's voice. "Come, Coraline. Let us help bring relaxation and tranquility to the King of Ansa`fel." Her free hand moved over to rest at his thigh. (Etain Moonflower)

Coraline watched Etain as she straddled him, and hearing her entreaty, she turned and brought her hands to the back of his neck. Her fingers roamed up and down his neck and base of his skull, "Try to relax good Sir. You are the guest of my sister, Etain, and therefore my guest as well." her fingers kneaded into the tense muscles. "Relax and let the Moonflower wash over you. She will keep you safe here." she smiled at Etain as she says the last.

Malekith Helerodis' breathing had slowed as his body relaxed while in the two sisters care. They would feel that the coolness of his skin was less now however, but it never fully warmed like normal. His mouth opened slightly while Coraline and Etain massaged his neck and just touched him as they were. He seemed to be completely relaxed now, their words traveling through him like a dream.

Etain Moonflower held her sister's smile, as she gazed upon Coraline, her expression mirthful, kind, and earnest. Her smile faded softly, but they had the result they were after. Still pressed against him, she brought her lips to his damp skin, placing soft kisses to his upper arm. "What questions do you have for us, Malekith Helerodis? Are there answers you seek? Thoughts pressing?"

Coraline following her sister's lead, pressed her body closer to him, until her breasts were touching his side. She moved her head around his unturned arm to press her lips against the end of his elven ear, moving slowly down it towards the side of his neck with soft kisses. Her fingers danced along the base of his other ear and trailed a slow line to his spine as she listened quietly for his answer to Etain's query.

Malekith Helerodis remained in his relaxed state even as Etain spoke to him, his head leaned back and completely relaxed, though unusual for him, his weathered body seemed to welcome this change. Though his eyes were closed the two could see they moved rapidly under the lids, deep in thought. " My only concern is the city. I worry that easy times are but the calm before a storm…" He paused as he felt Coraline press herself against him, lips to his sensitive ears that twitched in response to her gentle touch. " What do you see? " his head turned towards Etain where she kissed his army gently, though his eyes remained closed.

She slid her gaze to his unseeing eyes. It was this very question she wanted him to ask, and the sole reason why she had invited him to the sacred hollow of the nymphai. A dream, like so many others where their souls met before, left a lasting impression. A pressing matter. Danger, and possibly destruction. "You are perceptive, Malekith Helerodis, King of Ansa`fel." Lifting her hands, she placed the pads of her thumbs on his cheekbones, her index fingers at his temples and rubbed, pressing deep as her own eyes closed. "Soon. Very soon, as the sun burns and gives its nourishment and light to flowers in their youth and maturity, another sun comes. It is a bright, burning light which will bring darkness and despair. It is a sun, but not. It is familiar, but unfamiliar. It, and those behind it, are no friends to the nymphs or your people." Her deep green eyes opened as she spoke the last, "as the sun wakens sleeping bulbs from slumber, this new sun burns deep, gives off intense heat. It is scorching and angry and destructive and cruel."

Coraline listened intently to her sister's portents and shivered as she heard them. Her lips continued to place soft kisses along his neck and shoulder, moving up and down slowly. As her sister finished speaking, she paused her kisses but kept her lips close to his ear. "The waters sing to me, good Sir. And, I hear in their song the harsh cries of the fishes and the birds, hungry and desperate. I can hear the wails of forest animals that drink from the waters that do not quench their thirst." She paused for a moment and gazed at the pool in which they sit. "But, I do not know these things are certain. Shorelines change and rivers move their course. Springs dry up and then are reborn again in other places." She turned her gaze back from the pool, and began her soft kisses again.

Malekith Helerodis had a look of concern on his face but it was not panic or fear. Deep concentration as it appeared the male elf was thinking about these words of warning, and how he could prevent them. He turned his head towards Coraline while she added her own bit to the dark premonition. "Then I will cancel the ball and increase the guard…" he spoke softly and tranced, like speaking to them through a dream. Eyes remained closed and body still reacting to the Nymphs gentle touch on his skin, his breathing remaining at a steady pace but the cold that surrounded him increased slightly.

She released him then. "You could," she said, her tone mild at his mention of canceling the ball. "But we know not when it will strike." She took pause. "Or you could choose to hold the ball and have more control over timing. Let it see the occasion as an opportunity to strike hard with everyone gathered together." (Etain Moonflower)

Coraline listened to Eain's words as she continued her soft kisses. She felt some tightness return under her fingertips on the back of his neck and began to knead it away once more. She looked up suddenly at Etain as a thought ran through her mind. "A ball?" she asked with a smile. "Would I have to wear clothes?"

Malekith Helerodis thought more on the words of Etain. "If the citizens are safer indoors…." he stopped himself and merely nodded his head. "I think I understand…" his dream like state continued but his face changed from that of concern to pain. " Can I do anything to prevent or minimize the damage?" his eyes open then and he looked into hers, searching her own delicate hues for answers to a question he wished he did not need to ask.

She smiled at Coraline with fondness in her eyes. "We haven't been invited, sister." She curled her fingers, running them over the fine hair framing his face. "I wish I could offer you more but, alas, this is all we can leave you with today. I simply wanted to make you aware of the impending danger." Her eyes flickered and narrowed, her heart aching at his pain. "You have the answer within you, Malekith. Visit as long and as often as need be. Open your mind up to the path of the nymph." She leaned forward as if to kiss him, and her full lips did brush over his cheek, but she whispered, "You are strong and brave. You care very much for your people. They are fortunate to have you." Pulling back, she looked to her sister again, "Coraline can reflect more on the flowing waters. She can alert us of anything she may see that can be helpful." (Etain Moonflower)

Coraline blinked several times at Etain, as if astounded by her darling, nymph sister's words. "Who wouldn't invite us?" She blinked several times more then giggled softly. Taking a hand and cupping it in the water of the pool, she brought it up to splash it playfully on his chest. Her hand roamed over his muscular chest and rubbed the warm water into it. "Yes. I will do as my dear sister tells you. I will listen to the waters and bring you any knowledge of danger I may hear from them."

Malekith Helerodis kept his eyes on Etain then to Coraline as though to search for more but he knew they gave him everything they had now. "Thank you, both." he looked to his chest as Coraline rubbed the waters into him and he sighed deeply thinking about the words that were spoken here, the weight of them heavy on his shoulders. It appeared the tension in his body immediately returned and the coldness that radiated from him returned to normal. He sighed heavily and sat up to think on the words. "Oh." he added. "The invitation was to all, if you did not hear. Of course that includes you two and all the Nymphs in the Hollow."

Her smile lingered as she turned to lie against him, pressing him back into the bed of vine. She rested the back of her head along his chest. "We received no such invitation," she said lazily, "but we thank you kindly." Etain closed her eyes, keenly listening to the voices of the hollow. Waters lapped over rock, hushed voices whispered from phased parts of the sanctuary. They were still cloaked in privacy. The green-blue veil was calming and peaceful, despite the topic at hand. "Usually, we do not meddle in the affairs of men. They seek us out for our blessings and we receive their gifts." She inhaled deeply for several breaths, her breasts rising and falling. "I don't think it wise to attend, but if Coraline wants to go then she can. Thank you for your invitation." (Etain Moonflower)

Coraline (corey.dallas) smiled fondly at Etain as she lay her head on his chest. Her hand slid from the side of his chest to her sister's hair, her fingers brushing through Etain's hair lovingly. Knowing herself to be as impetuous as a swollen, raging river at times, she looked to her for guidance. "I will follow your advice in this matter as I do all things, dear sister." She turned to smile at Malekith, her thumb following Etain's pretty jawline and chin. "Thank you for the invitation, Sir. But, I must listen to the advice of my dear sister, Etain."

Malekith Helerodis did resist her attempts to push him back down but eventually he relented and rested back into the vines, his eyes still wide open and deep in thought of what he would do next. He glanced over to Etain and nodded his head. "Well, the offer still stands. You and yours both will be welcome. I insist you come but ill understand your decision otherwise." he closed his eyes then and placed one arm around either Nymph, but his mind was elsewhere.

Etain Moonflower turned into her sister's touch, holding her hand against her face to kiss at her palm softly if she let her. "Do you want to go, Coraline," she queried as her eyes fluttered open to gaze upon the lovely face of the nymph. "You may. There will be plenty here to look after the hollow."

Coraline wiggled herself tighter against him as his arm wrapped around her. Her hand, moved slowly across her sister's face and as she kissed its palm, it paused briefly to brush her fingertips along Etain's lips. "I would only go if you do, dearest. You know I have a terrible tendency to meddle with other's affairs." She giggled softly as her fingertips played with her lips.

Malekith Helerodis kept his eyes closed while he continued to relax in the soothing waters of the Hollow, or at least tried too, but his mind was still on the events that perceived by the two Nymphs around him. He kept running the scenerio in his head, thinking about what he could do and how he knew that something was wrong, he always had a innate intuition into these sort of things, it had helped him a lot. When Etain's hand lowered down on him he shuttered some and he then relaxed and breathed heavily.

Her eyes crinkled at the corners in amusement of Coraline. Her sister spoke no truer words. She babbled like the brooks but she loved her so, even still. She caught a bit of flesh between her teeth playfully before releasing the other nymph's hand. She took in another deep, soulful breath and continued massaging him again with practiced fingers. (Etain Moonflower)

Coraline giggled playfully as she bit softly on her fingers. The she leaned over, stretching, to kiss her playful lips before sitting up to kiss Malekith on the cheek. "I must leave you now. I need to find a quiet, lonely water to listen to and commune with. But, I leave you in my dear sister's capable hands." She giggled again as she stood and made her way back to the grassy steps.

Malekith Helerodis remained still, his head turned towards her as though searching for something while she massaged him. As Coraline said her goodbye and made to leave he opened his eyes some to acknowledge her but did not speak a word, though his lips parted. Before he knew it she was already gone and he closed his eyes and pulled Etain tighter to him.