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Affections Across War (Grinberet X Asphodel Terrarium)

Grinberet

Grinberet

Planetoid
Joined
May 21, 2016
Location
Behind you
The dwarves and the fairies are two race that had not known peace and tolerance for many generations. Dwarves are known for working hard and according to their belief, wealth earn are equivalent to how much hard work is being put on. Gaining wealth in any other way without hard work is considered dishonorable. They don't even rely on other species to serve them other than their ram that they use for mount. For many years the dwarves and fairies have exchange blood on the battlefield. In neutral territories they do not kill each other, but will discriminate nonetheless.

Jakiro, sometime called Jake, is one of many dwarves. He has long black hair up to his shoulder, 155 cm height, and age 30 years old. He wield a mythril axe which he proudly crafted it himself. He is with a group of 6 dwarves on a raid party to hunt down fairies in the wood. They arrived at a fairy camp which consist roughly of 20 fairies but only a few are fighters.
"GLORY TO MALDHUR!" one of the dwarve battle cry as they advances towards a group of fairies. Maldhur is a the name of the dwarven country.
 
Lireo was the name of the fairyland. The fairy folks are a cheerful and friendly bunch. They spent much of their time to amuse themselves. They specialise in magic and care nothing for toil. They prefer to simply play and be merry with their time. It was due to these differences in beliefs that the dwarves and fairies receive much scorn from each other. They value different things in life.

However, the fairies despite their playful nature, are not lazy altogether. From time to time, they would gather food, plant and harvest crops. They are also not defenseless. Due to their affinity with magic, they can fend for themselves should they be attacked.

One sunny day, the fairy guards have sensed an attack from the dwarves. They sounded the alarms as fairies specialising in earth and plant magic race to the borders of their home to defend it. They heard the shout "Glory to Maldhur!" as the dwarves charged towards them. Plant fairies raise their hands to call the trees to fight for them as its branches swooped and threw a dwarf away.
 
Jakiro and the dwarves fight fairy warriors gallantly. For Jakiro, his axe does more defending than attacking. He would chop off the branch and block many of the magic attacks from them. He is relentless and charge forward despite enduring many attacks which appear painless for him. Even though he finally reach a melee distance, the fairy's melee skill are not to be underestimated. Despite being outnumbered, the dwarves fought bravely and have very good teamwork. Whenever a dwarf got tied by a branch, the other will help and release him.

The fight had been prolonged for awhile, and the differences in numbers suddenly became significantly. What should Jakiro do? Should they fight on or retreat and live to fight another day? The fairies now starting to become offensive as the dwarves brace their attacks.
 
The fairy princess, Lou, had went to watched the fight but was stopped by her parents, the fairy king and queen. Periwinkle, her mother told her, "Don't go near the battlefield, dear. These battles are not a sight for a lady such as yourself."

Lou nodded as she walked away. She wanted to see if there were any injured among the warriors. She was worried.

She looked back at the battlefield in the distance, on the frontline of the woods. It seems that the fairies were managing to hold the dwarves at bay. There were only six dwarves. What were they thinking charging at the fairy kingdom filled with armed fairies?
 
Dwarves have been known to be stubborn and prideful. They are less likely to retreat and rather die fighting than to bow to the demands of the enemies. In this battle however, something calm struck Jakiro and he decided to retreat.
"RETREAT! RETREAT!" shouted Jakiro and blowing his ram horn. He knew dying here will serve no benefit but a waste of good men.
They retreated systematically. Their small numbers made them easier watch each other's back. The fairies however did not pursue, not because of mercy but they know what the dwarves are capable of especially when they are driven to a corner.

Very far away from the battle, they rest near a river and light on a campfire. They hunt down a dear, cook the meat and eat up. Dwarves are very gluttony especially in eating meat. The whole dear probably can be eaten by the six of them in one or two meal. Jakiro start to lie down on the grass putting both his hand behind his head with his stomache full, enjoying the nature.
 
After the dwarves retreat, the fairies left them. There were only seven injured so far, and they weren't severely injured. They were treated quickly and the fairies forgot about the battle after that except that it was a little concern that six dwarves managed to injure seven. They think that they overwhelmed them however so it did not matter. Fairies are carefree creatures and thus, did not really mind what happened as long as they are already safe now. They went on their activities.

In the evening, Lou with the permission of her parents, ventured through the woods. "Don't go out too far, dear!" Periwinkle called out to her child. A soft pink glow lighted through the woods as Lou flew across the field of grass. She went from flower to flower. It was her favourite pasttime during the night when the moonflowers bloom. It was a beautiful sight as a soft pink glow hover across the field of flowers. The flowers were so fragrant. After a while, Lou did not notice that she had flown far and almost near to the dwarves' camp.
 
The dwarves are very carefree once they had their meal. Among the six dwarves, Jakiro and another dwarf, Kerinchi stay awake while the other 4 are sleeping like there's no tomorrow. Their snoring probably can be heard mountains away.
"What are you up to Jake?" asked Kerinchi, seeing Jakiro stood up.
"Nah I just feel like walking around for fresh air. Keep an eye on them will ya," said Jake.
"Whatever"

After 5 minutes into the jungle, he notice his amulet glows mildly. His amulet was designed to hunt down fairies as it will glow when there is a fairy nearby.
"Did they track us all the way here? I'm positive we did not leave a trail," he wondered.
The amulet is very feint, meaning there are either less fairy, or the fairy is a young fairy. A battalion of fairy will make the amulet glow bright as day. He drew his axe and carefully search the wood. He did not alarmed the other dwarves since the glow is feint, he probably think he could handle it alone.
 
Lou had flew almost near to the camp of the dwarf, reaching the river. She looked at the river as it sparkles like tiny pink stars. She marvelled at its beauty. She was oblivious of Jakiro nearby, sensing her aura. After spending a long moment at the river, she decided to return back home. She began flying into the direction but she didn't get any far when she bumped into Jakiro.

She recognised him to be a dwarf. He was bigger than her by size and height. She looked at him in the eyes. She began trembling with fear as she headed back home in a hurry. Unfortunately, her wings got entangled amongst the growth not too far from Jakiro.
 
Jakiro finally found the fairy that responded to his amulet. It is a young female fairy which explain the feint glow. She seems to be very afraid of him and trip on a tree root and her wing got entangled. He draw his axe closer to her face which only make her fear him even more. He is still thinking what he should do with the fairy, having her at his mercy. The same calmness struck his head the same way how he decide to retreat from the battle.
"What is this? Some new wisdom? Or I'm just crazy?" he mumbled to himself.

Dwarf may have deep hatred towards the fairy but they still have honor. Seeing a helpless young female fairy made her heart soft. There is no honor in killing this fairy. Killing fairy on sight was never a dwarf code. Mostly they will kill fairies that can fight.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you," he said in a comforting way as he keep his axe behind his back.
Apart honor being the reason he did not attack the fairy, the main reason was the female fairy was astonishingly beautiful. He took his time appreciating and admiring her beauty.
"I'm Jakiro. What is your name little one?" he asked.
 
She had panicked at the sight of his axe. She closed her eyes as if to protect herself, but she was surprised when he took the weapon away. He had introduced himself and asked for her name. She looked at the dwarf with uncertainty, "I-I'm Lou." she said still trembling.
 
Lou's expression of fear only made her cute but only made Jakiro to want calm her down.
"Take it easy Lady Lou," he attempt to calm the fairy again.
He went closer to her. Slowly and gently he run his fingers through her hair, touches her soft cheek and chin before he offered his hand to help her stand up.
"You may go Lady Lou. It's very late for a fairy. You must've got lost here. I hope to see you again. You are.." he said, delaying a bit.
"the most beautiful creature I have ever seen."
 
She looked at Jakiro unsure. He ran his hands through her hair and cheeks. She shivered at his touch. He offered his hand to her and she took it. She was assured that the dwarf did not come to harm her.

As he complimented her of her looks, she blushed slightly, before flying off back home, briefly glancing at Jakiro now and then.
 
Jakiro ponder his way back to the rest of the group. He was surprised his patrol he gain more than just fresh air, but a fresh insight. That incident opened his heart a bit as he wondered whether the war between dwarf and fairy are necessary. Most of dwarves upbringing were taught to despise the fairy but be honorable at the same time. What if the war is a lie? The beautiful fairy had been haunting his head as he tried to get a grip.
"Are you alright lad?" Kerinchi asked.
"Arggh. Punch me in the face. Now!" Jakiro commanded.
Without hesitation, Kerinchi punch him in the face, and he start to calm down. It is normal practice among dwarves who are very close among themselves to punch one's in the face to knock some sense in them. Later, he join the other snoring dwarves until morning.
 
Lou cannot help but think of the strange encounter with Jakiro. He seems nice, but she also knows that the dwarves were the one who began the battle. Her heart was troubled with these conflicted feelings. As she lay to rest, she wondered if there was a chance for fairies and elves to get along.
 
The sun has rise and the dwarves are awake, awaiting instruction from Jakiro.
"O fellow brothers of Maldhur. Everyone have fought with vigil and your determination are solid as steel after this long battles," he said giving a speech.
"But good men are not only honorable at the battlefield, but also with among you love. Go home brothers, and channel your fighting spirit to serve your family," he added.
Jakiro was commanding his men to take a holiday from battle after a prolong campaign against the fairies. The men agreed as they hug each other with some phrase can be heard repeatedly, "Well done brothers."
They travel to a human port of Damaz, a highly populated harbor city rich in trade and the center of travel route. The dwarves parted ways and depart to different place.

Even though dismissing the party for time being was timely and correct, Jakiro could not help himself that he actually to meet Lady Lou once, and to unearth the mystery of the dwarf-fairy conflict. From the place where he encountered Lady Lou, he deducted she probably would've came from 3 places and one of them is the neutral city of Malakah. Mounting his ram, he immediately set off on a journey to Malakah.
 
The princess woke up the next day. It was another beautiful morning. She greeted the sun as she flew to the fields. She said hello to the other fairies as some were collecting fruits and berries.

With the permission of the fairy king and queen, she ventured to the city of Malakah. It was a neutral city so she could go there. She flew to the city and look around her. It was a busy day and some people were there, different peoples, fairy, elves, humans and dwarves.
 
Malakah is a neutral city in which any hostility between clans, factions, and kingdoms are forbidden here. Even though dwarve and fairy do not engage in combat here, they would still be eye-balling each other, so tension do exist. Regarding finding Lady Lou, Jakiro does not have any idea how to start. He was hoping good fortune will allow them to reunite again if that is to be their destiny. However he has other intention which is to seek historical information regarding the dwarf-fairy conflict.

The first things that comes to his mind is the Great Malakah Library. Perhaps he can find some lead there. As Jakiro attempts to enter the library, he was halted by the library entrance guard. "Leave your weapon here," said the guard.
He rarely parted with his beloved axe. Thus with utter disgust, he give the temporary custody of his axe to the librarian. The guards and the librarians also felt awkward as it is very rare dwarf enter library as they are not really a race that seek knowledge.

The library was huge, mountains of them. He had troubled on where to start.
 
Lou had travelled through the market and browsed through trinkets. Fairies are vain creatures and Lou was no exception. She looked at the jewelled combs other trinkets. She tried some on and look at her reflection. After deciding on which ones she like, she gave the seller three gold coins for them.

She went to see other wares, browsing through necklaces, bracelets, charms, amulets to ward against evil. She then went on until she was at the end. She exited the market and gaily went to the library.
 
After searching randomly for books, Jakiro is confronted with a major problem. He can't read other than dwarven scriptures. Human and elvish language are seem to be the main language here. Although he can speak and understood human, he can't read it. He staggered and put on a the biggest face palm ever. However all hope are not lost as there are few dwarven books available so he will start from there. He even considering about learning other scriptures.
 
Lou had entered the library. She loves reading and learning. When she was a child, her mother, Periwinkle, would tell her stories and also taught her how to read. She was able to learn fairy language and elven which was very similar to fairy language with slight differences. She wasn't taught human language since her parents didn't find it useful. They doubt that Lou will ever use it. Of course, Lou having been fascinated with the language had learnt it on her own.

She went to her favourite section, history. But then, she suddenly saw Jakiro. He was with a pile of books. She slowly approached him and waved at him, "Hullo."
 
Jakiro stacks many books in hope to find any lead. One of the librarian started to get suspicious, "Hey don't make a mess" said the librarian and left.
"I'll fix it. I'll fix it!" said Jakiro, slightly irritated.
While he was going through the books in which there have been no progress, suddenly a soft girl voice greeted him. The voice was very familiar.
"It can't be," he thought.
As he peek between the books, his eyes did not deceive him as it was indeed Lady Lou. Getting excited, he tried to stand up but only for the stacking books to fall on him and buried in books.
 
Lou lost her shyness. He was really funny as books fell on him. She giggled softly at him. "What are you doing here? I've never seen you here before." she said in a singsong voice. She frequent the library and would be familiar with those that go, and she've never seen Jakiro inside until today.
 
Jakiro manage to get off the books and finally face to face with Lady Lou. He stares and appreciate her beauty again but try not to be rude.
"Are you not afraid of me?" he asked.
 
Some of the readers were looking in their direction with an expression of disbelief. They were wondering why a fairy would stand close to a dwarf. Lou simply ignored them and faced Jakiro.

She laughed softly at his question, "Well, how can I be afraid when you helped me get up in the woods when I was stuck. And certainly not of someone who can easily be beaten by a pile of books!" she whispered to him, teasing him.

"In addition, we're in neutral grounds." she added.
 
Jakiro laughed off when Lou said about beaten by a pile of books.
"You are not just beautiful my lady. You are fun too," he said cheerfully.
He gently hold one of her soft hand, and kiss her back hand.
"This is how dwarf greet ladies," he lied.
Jakiro immediately forgotten the main reason why he was at the library and had his full intention on the lovely fairy.
"It is seem we have been fated to meet each other. Destiny wills it," he said wondering what are the chances he would meet this fairy so soon.
"Tell me. What is a lovely young fairy doing all the way here to this dusty library?" he asked.
 
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