In My Arms Again

[saerwen]

Her feet dug into the soft, white sand as she walked along the shore. The waves were just barely missing her dry feet, as though there were some invisible barrier keeping them from touching her, but as there was a barrier that kept this place safe and calm. The wind blew gently, causing her silky ebony hair to rippling in rhythm with the breeze. It looked like it was alive, the way that it moved, the long tresses bumbling about in the breeze.

Jaedon had always found that she was most comfortable when she was walking the shores of the beach. For some reason, the sand beneath her toes, the wind in her hair, and the sound of the waves refreshed her soul like nothing else could. It was natures greatest symphony, the birds played as the flutes and the horns, the waves the percussion, and the wind was a soft but riveting strings section. They would never lose their touch. For thousands of years they had played this same song, and they would more than likely continue to play this song for another thousands of years. She was just glad that she was privileged enough to be able to enjoy it for everything that it was worth.

Jaedon reached up and pushed some of her hair out of her eyes. It was so wild sometimes. She then felt a rush of cool water crash over her toes. She looked down to see that the water had finally broken through. One powerful wave had been all it took to soak her feet completely through. It felt good. With a smile she halted her steps and turned towards the water. It wasn't long before she was knee deep in the salty H2O. She was glad that she had decided to wear shorts, but found herself somewhat concerned with the fact that they were white. If she got wet, and then ran into someone, it would be utterly embarrassing. As though to laugh at her for not being very prepared, and wave rolled up and splashed against her, soaking her half way up her thighs. She squealed and jumped back, taking a moment to survey the damage. There were even various splashes on her black shirt, which was starting to come off her shoulders. She hastily pushed the sleeves back up and turned just in time to jump up enough to avoid being drenched again. She giggled before grabbing a handful of water and throwing it up into the air.

It was wonderful to be able to enjoy just one day. She had been so worried about Neron lately that she had had no rest for herself. However, talking to Cecily and Tarian had cured many of her worries. She had been reassured that there was a way she could defeat Neron's darker side. She would wait patiently until she ran into him and then she would enact her plan. She had already plotted her course of action. Now all that was left was to carry out. However, there was a piece of her that hoped it would not be today. She had come to this place to have fun, to be relaxed, and to enjoy some good memories. This was, after all, where Neron had first given her one of his poems. She hadn't known it at the time, but it was the truth. That was just one of the good things to remember and right now, she was going to focus on them all.

[»Míríel«]

The sun was to hot, the wind to strong, and the sand to coarse for a man walking among the white sanded banks of the cove. Nothing could satisfy him, he was waiting, watching, for something to tamper with and make miserable. It was what he was best at. Truth be told he was miserable, but he kept convincing himself he wasn't. IT was one of those situations of one who has been in the dark, glimpsed light, and remains in darkness. Everything seemed darker about him then before, and all he could remember was that pure light.

Despite all the troubling and annoying things about this place at the moment, Neron had wandered here in search of memories. Usually he tried to run, but this time, he actually wanted to look back, to remember. The dark side of him was more cruel this time, it let him choose where to go, think about Jaedon, as long as it wasn't in admiration, but also enforced that if they came upon anyone that it was still in command. The haunting look returned to his eyes, but it had craft within. He was a prisoner in his own home, and he was beginning to lose hope.

Looking out among the wave her let his mind churn like the water about him. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath through his nose. "Memories." He let the word slide from his lips.
Yes, what memories you have Neron. Do you remember the time we wrote that wonderful poem to Jaedon. How pitiful that she believed that you actually loved her.
Neron shook his head, "I do."
There was a laugh within. If you truly loved her, wouldn't you have fought harder? No, you just let yourself believe the lie.
The good within strained against bonds, allowing them to cut deep into his scales. "You lie!"
The voice within chuckled again.You may want to stop speaking out loud, someone might think you are crazy.
"There is no one around."
Think again.

Neron let his gaze drift to one side, then the other. He say a figure far enough away not to hear what he said, but close enough to be discernible. Oh, just look who it is. Shall we say hi?"
"No. There had been enough pain."
Oh, but let's cause more, plus you really have no say in the matter. With that Neron headed towards Jaedon. The green dragon within was suppressed and stifled. There was a slight struggle, but nothing that was hard to handle. "Is that you dearest?" Neron's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I hope you know that your friends were disappointed at the wedding that you didn't say goodbye. Oh well, They have probably forgotten all about you by now." Then looking around at the surroundings he let his eyes narrow, "Isn't this the place that I gave you one of those pathetic poems? I think it is." He shrugged, "To bad it wasn't carried off into the waves. Then you never would have been disillusioned."

[saerwen]

Jaedon hadn't even heard Neron coming up behind her until he was right up on her and began to speak. She almost cringed as she heard his voice pierce her happy moment. She really hadn't wanted to have to deal with him today, especially not now, but she couldn't really avoid it now. Perhaps it was for the best anyways. It was better that she was able to handle this problem in comfortable surroundings. She would feel more at home as she went through and fought it out with Neron. She knew that was what was on the horizon for this meeting.

She turned around, a small smile on her face. She had told herself what she was going to do over and over again. She had been worried that she would fail, that she would just let loose and show Neron that he had won, but now that she faced him, she realized that she would be able to do this. It would be hard, but she would succeed. She was going to smother Neron in kindness, and when he got angry, she would continue to smother him in kindness until he became overbearing, then she would act like she had been crushed. After that, she would just have to feel her way through to her ultimate end. Hopefully, her final actions would be the undoing of Neron.

"Well hello there!" She continued to smile, acting as though she were talking to the regular Neron on a regular day. "Decided to come and join me have you? Now who is the stalker?"

She waved his first attempt at making her hurt off with a hand, "Oh don't worry about that. I managed to slip in a goodbye before they took off. And I have no doubt they have forgotten about me. I am sure that they are way too wrapped up in each other to be thinking about little old me, or even you."

Her green eyes seemed to laugh at him as he recalled the poems. "Funny, I was just thinking about that a moment ago. As pathetic as it might seem now, it was quite the sweet gesture at the time." She threw her hands up, "After all, who doesn't love some poetry now and again?" She conveniently ignored the last part of his discourse. She didn't need to worry about that. His illusion would soon be over and she would yet again have her Neron. Just then, another waved rolled in and Jaedon gave a muffled squeal as the water splashed against her shorts, soaking the bottoms of them again. She walked a little closer to shore to avoid a repeat, and in the process, a little closer to Neron. She then looked up at him with a rather cheeky smile. If Neron hadn't known better, he really might have thought that Jaedon was drunk, she was in such a good mood.

[»Míríel«]

Neron just looked at her in disapproval. This change of mood was most disturbing. Perhaps she had stopped caring, but then she started acting like nothing had happened between them and that the black dragon wasn't currently in control. "Neither of us. If I wanted to stalk you, you never would have heard or seen me. Otherwise I would be a rather pitiful stalker. Gladly I know better." He shrugged at her next statement, "I don't want them to think about me. The less they do the better. Especially when I leave." Yes that was it. His green eyes narrowed at her talking about the poetry.

"Yes, I suppose even the best of trickery can be sweet. In one perspective. You should know about that. I'm sure you had many jobs where you gave people just what they wanted. Sure they enjoyed it for a time, but then when the knife was out and they were dead, it doesn't seem so sweet." Sitting down on the sand he propped his arm on one of his knees. He was quiet for a while. Looking down at his fingers he spoke in a quiet tone. "I'm leaving." Looking up he smirked. " I'm taking the advice of and old friend who once told me, that I couldn't trust you. I'm starting to agree with him." He let his gaze shift to the water, "After all you are acting drunk, the last I remember you were trying to change your ways." He shrugged and continued with his sarcasm. "Guess I was wrong. Who knows maybe in a couple weeks I could get you to "take care of" someone for me. I'm sure you wouldn't mind. After all, it is your specialty." He then leaned backwards until he was laying on the sand with his hands behind his head. He needed something to dampen her mood. She was too happy, it was starting to make him feel sick. He had an idea. "I suppose you might be wondering how your little friend is doing. Would you like to see?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon's ears perked up when he talked about leaving. She took a few more steps towards the shore, throwing some of her hair behind her shoulders. Was that scaly miser really considering leaving? Where would he go, and what on earth would he do? He would be dead before long if he did leave. Jaedon was going to make it her personal goal to ensure that he didn't leave. With any luck, he would be back to normal by the end of the day.

"Well of course the things that are the worst for you taste the sweetest! They would be poor traps then." Neron probably didn't realize that Jaedon would soon be using that ideology on him in a little while. It was hard for her to think about the past in such a way, but over the past few weeks, she had come to realized that her years as an assassin were coming in handy. They prepared you for some of the worst circumstances, and they reassured that you were never left without an alternative. But more than anything, it had made her strong. Being an assassin had taught her the meaning of hardship, and it had forced her to gain will power. Now, she was fully equipped to face Neron.

Jaedon narrowed her eyes at him when he mentioned Ares. She looked at the water for a moment before looking back up at him with an innocent face, "Silly! I am not drunk." She smiled a quite charming smile and came up to him, standing in front of him. "I am scary when I am drunk, not happy." She sounded as though she were talking to a small child. However, she then looked at him with narrowed eyes, "Who on earth would you want me to take care of? Making a hit list this early? You've been busy."

Jaedon then skillfully switched her mood back to pure joy. It had been a while since she had gotten a chance to do something like this. She had always had a little trouble with acting happy and covering her anger, but she found that since it mattered a lot to her right now, it came much more naturally. When Neron asked her if she would like to see the green dragon, there was a part of her that longed to see him, but there was also a side of her that said no. What was she going to say? She turned back towards the water for a moment before she promptly came and sat down next to Neron. In a very somber voice she replied, "No, I think I would rather not." She stared at the waves as they rolled in, not seeming to pay attention to the man next to her.

[»Míríel«]

Neron didn't respond at first to her little babbling, in fact he seemed quite peaceful laying on the sand. She was smiling brightly, charmingly. He didn't like the surge of emotion it was bringing within. So he did the simple thing, closed his eyes. "I doubt that." He let out a little scoff at the image of her being scary when she was drunk. When she asked about the list he just sighed. "Oh just a couple of people I have in mind. I'm sure it won't cause you any trouble. I'm sure you have killed those close to you before. Or at least harmed them. After all I believe I have a few scars I can use as proof."

Jaedon's sudden switch back to pure joy made him crack his eyes open once more, but he soon closed them. She seemed to be bobbing back and forth. It could only mean one thing, acting. When she started saying that she wouldn't Neron just smiled darkly. "Oh but I think you do." He picked himself off the sand and stared down at her. "I believe you do." His mind opened and he thought with all his might the picture before her. The green dragon was even smaller than before, thinner. Chafe marks showed on his scales, some had even fallen out due to the fight. His form lay still now, perfectly still.[/b]" Then like always he closed his mind and locked it down. "Don't worry, his suffering is going to be over soon, I am sure. He's put up a brilliant fight." He turned to Jaedon and looked down at her with bright haunting eyes, "I won't kill him though. I'll just do something better."

[saerwen]

Jaedon had to admit that Neron was right. First of all, Jaedon knew how to hold her liquor down. Drinking games were a harsh teacher, but once you learned, you never found yourself soft again. It took a lot to actually get her drunk enough to where it would really affect her thinking, but when she did get drunk all she wanted to do was sleep. It was like a tranquilizer to her.

Now it began. Jaedon was prepared for some brutal speech, but he was starting to really dig in deep. She was going to have to try much harder now. As she thought about the fact that he was quite right, they had fought enough to where they both bore slight marks from each others' past rage. It was something that Jaedon wished to forget. She was not going to be able to think about this too much, she realized. The more I think about it, the more emotional I will get and the more I will fail. I can't fail now. I can't give up. I will be as tough as I have to. It is time to pull out a memory and leave it there for good. She did exactly that. When she had been an assassin, there had been one image that had kept her smiling and laughing when she had nothing to laugh and smile about. It was the image of her mother. It used to be the picture of her mother lying in her bed, body lifeless and still. Now, it was the image of her mother singing in her room as Jaedon sat on the bed. Her mind was at ease now. With that memory, everything became sunshine and flowers. She ignored what he said about her not minding to kill people and moved on to his next subject, quite ecstatic.

"Oh no, I don't want to-" she began, hoping to urge him on. Her wish came true in only a moment as a picture of Neron flew straight through her mind. She acted as though she was not prepared to block the image and had just seen it because of her surprise. If she had really wanted to, she could have flushed it out of her mind. In fact, to make it more real, after she had seen a scrap of it, she pushed it from her own mind before he even had a chance to close his. Jaedon had hoped that by saying no, Neron would actually do it. She really had wanted to see Neron and make sure that he was still alive inside there. She was now confident and her will to press on with her plan grew immensely. She looked down at the sand as though she were really sad, when inwardly, she was rejoicing.

When he mentioned not killing him, hope filled her eyes and she looked at Neron. But, it seemed to be shot down when he mentioned something better. "What could be better than death in your eyes?" she truly was slightly curious, but this was all part of her act of desperation.

[»Míríel«]

Neron just shrugged again. "What could be better than death. Well that is an easy answer. Conversion." Soon he will be to weak to refuse. It was starting to happen before you came here. The two of us were becoming one. the edges were blurring and the green was darkening. This time I had to be more forceful. Once he is bodily weary it is all to easy to make his mind weak. It's already starting to happen. He's forgotten why he is wanting to live.[/b]"

Turning to Jaedon he sharpy snapped, "Look at me!" IT was an abrupt change from the tone he was using before. If she looked she would have seen the cocky and smug look of the black dragon slowly melting away. His green eyes lost all their light and grew darker and darker. Suddenly his form was hunched, tired and his breathing grew labored. Reaching up with one hand he held it over his eyes as if the sun was to bright. His form doubled over slightly and then he went down on all fours, and image of the very the epitome of exhaustion.

[saerwen]

Jaedon's demeanor stayed just as sunny as it had been, but inside she was cursing the black dragon over and over again. She looked at him with her bright green eyes, "Well, that is kinda sad for you, because it is nigh impossible. I know my Neron would rather die than go back to you. Must be awful knowing your brightest joy is useless." She paused for a moment, "I mean, have you even thought about what you are going to do for the rest of your life? Without Miriel and the rest of us, you will really have no where to go, no one to talk to, no one to have anything to do with you. You would end up killing them all off anyways, so, what is the point in being so evil anyways. You'll end up a crabby old miser living in some abandoned cave, wasting your life away."

Jaedon nearly jumped out of her skin when Neron shouted at her. She truly had not been expecting that, "Geez!" She said in a more than slightly miffed tone. However, she suddenly realized that something was wrong. Could it be? Neron...Had he really been set free, even for a moment? Was it really him? It couldn't be... This was some sort of trick, wasn't it? Everything inside of her told her not to do anything, to just leave him alone. There was something wrong. But Jaedon couldn't just stand by and ignore the fact that it might possibly be her Neron there, staggering on all fours, longing for help. She had to do something.

She hesitantly reached her hand out, "Neron?" She placed it gently on his shoulder. Was it really...? Her green eyes were wary, but full of concern.

[»Míríel«]

"I have lived before without Miriel, Damion, or you. I can do it again. Don't worry about me living in a cave, that won't happen. I will die in a fight. I have always known that. My brightest joy is not useless, it is reality. Isn't it sad that your brightest hope will be crushed?"

When Jaedon touched him Neron shirked away from it as if it burned him. "Go away." His eyes were wide as he tried to move farther away, "GO AWAY" Then he paused for a moment and came back, his face covered in shadows. His body shivered and when he looked up at her his eyes were snakes. HE got off the sand and brushed the little white dust from him. "See." He looked at her with a smirk. "I can act too." His face changed again to one of despair, it looked like the old Neron when he was going through his rough time before. Then it shifted back. "I have full control of him. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to act like this. Haven't you noticed before that once I come out signs are shown of my presence." The smirk deepened. "But soon that will all be wiped away."

Satisfied that all the sand was off of him he continued to look at her. "Do you really think that Neron would fall in love with you? Don't you know that you are going to die? You, unlike him, are going to parish long before him. Would he really give his heart to someone who would parish so easily? You are a good assassin my dear, but there is one thing you cannot escape or dodge, and that. Is death. It's cold hand will catch up to you and grasp your scrawny little neck. There will be nothing you can do to save yourself and Neron will watch on helpless. Do you really want his heart to break like that? I wouldn't. That is why I will be leaving soon. IT is for the." HE smirked again. "best."

[saerwen]

Jaedon swallowed hard. She had known that something wasn't right. Her heart was not going to allow her to be as cold as she should have been. It was still strange to her though. Sure he knew that she was acting, but what was he going to prove. Acting or not, why should he care? The only thing that came to her mind was that he was obviously scared of her, as Cecily had said. Something inside of him was worried about her, worried that she might have something planned. And while his ego might have blocked him from admitting that her plan might actually work, he was no fool. He would not throw caution to the wind and ignore her existence completely. He knew that she might just do something that would give Neron a jump to freedom.

It was time to start the real act. She sobered, her face becoming plain and apathetic, as it normally was. "Congratulation's, Sherlock. It's about flipping time." She used her hands to prop herself up as she laid back a bit on the sand, making sure her hair didn't get in it. "Your good side is faster at that than you."

Her usual harsh sarcasm died away as he began to speak. Inside she welled with anger, but outwardly, she looked at the ocean. She was trying to hide the grief in her eyes. Part of that grief was real. She knew that what he said was right. Neron would live forever, but Jaedon... Jaedon would die eventually. She would pass from this world and Neron would be left alone, with nothing but her memories. While there was a part of her that said it would have been better for her to leave Neron and let him find someone that could last a little longer than she could, she realized that she couldn't do that now. Right now, there was no one left for Neron. Right now, all that he had was the hope that she could do something to help him. She had to keep fighting. But she also had to keep acting. Her gaze fell a little more, now resting on the sand.

The only reply that she could give to his terrible question was a weak little, "No, I don't want that for him." She sighed and then looked up with a strange sort of fire in her eyes, but it was obvious that the fire was meant to hide tears, "I want him to be happy." She then looked down as she held her tears in a little longer. It wasn't right to let them fall yet.

[»Míríel«]

Neron observed Jaedon with narrowed eyed. She was growing on his nerves. Already he could feel them snapping and straining against this. He was having trouble keeping himself calm and serene. It was the dark sides nature to lash out, to spin out of control at the slightest moment. Her sarcasm was just about to push him over the edge. In that instant his view of her changed. No longer was he trying to manipulate. No it had passed that. She was trying to let it all roll off her little mask she was wearing.

Neron hated masks, he hated anyone being two-faced. That is what cost the most pain. IT was easy to tap into the stored rage. All to easy. It was a bottomless pit, one that could be covered, but could also be uncovered. He felt it was about time.

"I want him to be happy."

"Happy." Neron laughed. "Happy." He walked toward her. "I don't think you are being honest. Do you truly think I am going to cater to your act. To play with you like a supporting role? Think again." Lashing out with his hand he slapped her cheek. "You, Miss. Are pitiful." HE stepped back. "Is that all you think you can do. Do you think tears will break me? Seeing you cry only strengthens me. I expected better."

[saerwen]

Jaedon could almost see it coming. Neron had lost it. She braced herself for whatever he might throw at her. It was true that she had not been expecting him to actually hit her, but she had known something was on its way. Her cheek stung like bees were endlessly attacking her. She kept her face to the side, the tears that she would normally have fought back were allowed to flow freely. She wasn't going to hold them back. Neron needed to see this. He needed to see her weak, exposed, grieving. As he stepped away, his comment only served to strengthen her resolve. It's working...

She slowly put her hand to her cheek, rising from the ground as she did. This was the hardest part. She had to make sure that she was very careful. She let her head hang. She had tears still streaming from her eyes.

"Fine," she whispered, "you win. I give up." She then looked at him, still crying, but her voice was stronger, "I can't take this anymore. I don't get why you are so hell bent on pushing me away, but you know what," she paused, now at a full fledged shout, "I quit. You are worthless! Go on, ruin Neron, ruin yourself, since you really are the same person. Just screw yourself over. I don't care anymore! Go to hell for all I care, just leave me alone!" This was truly the cry of her heart towards Neron's darker side. She just wanted this part of him dead, and now she had her chance to voice it.

When her little outburst was over, she turned away from Neron, brushed her shorts off, and then took one step away. It was at this moment that she decided to act. Whirling around faster than lightning, she took one huge step towards Neron, closing the distance between the two of them in a split second. She slipped her hand around his neck, and stood on her tip toes as she leaned in and pressed her lips hard against his. She didn't care what happened next, she would just be content to savor this feeling one last time if it came down to the worst.

[»Míríel«]

Neron watched as she touched her cheek, tears flowing freely. He had hit her hard, and he meant every bit of it, or one side of him did. The good within, at the sight of one of her tears, strained against the bonds that entwined his limbs. His other side had gone to far. This was to much. He had to do something. Straining and pulling against the bond as far as he could he felt the ropes biting deeply into him. He just growled loudly against he pain that was blinding him. Farther and farther they strained, little bits of of the bonds were starting to snap around him. Weakness flooded him, but he kept pulling. He had to fight back, he had to. Yet as much as he was, he didn't know if he had the strength to do so.

IT was then that he heard Jaedon's words, they hit him in the face like the slap he had given her. His eyes were wide. Did she really mean it? Outwardly the dark side just smirked as a look of confidence took over. On the inside he began straining again, a rope snapped, then another. Pain lashed through his mind. The fight was on.

On the outside Neron's eyes started to grow clouded slightly, but fighting back he caused more ropes to burst from beneath the prison where he kept all the good. Just as the good side was about the throw himself at the wall, a rope snagged his foot and wrapped around it like a thing claw. He slammed against the ground with a groan. Still he fought on, he had to get to JAedon, he had to repair what had been damaged. He must.

It was then that Jaedon kissed him. The darkside pushed her away, one hand pushing her, the other untwining her arm from his neck. Stumbling back in disbelief and horror he stood there, hand wiping his mouth. The battle within sudden went to a stand still, the ropes went loose around the good and he slipped out of them. Still he stared at the wall before him. IT dwarfed his figure. Even though he had a smile on his lips because of what Jaedon had done he looked at the wall. "I can't do it.. I can't..." Stepping away from the wall he eyes the center spot narrowly. It didn't take long before he was on the other side of the prison, pressed against it, looking at the wall. He couldn't.

The outside waited for a fight to begin within his mind. None came. At first he had a look of disbelief then success. "Yes." He straightened up and wiped his mouth once more. Looking down at Jaedon from the feet he stood away from her he smirked as his eyes became reptilian. "You have failed innocent maiden. You have failed." Elation filled his soul from the very depths. He had won.

[saerwen]

Jaedon felt Neron fighting against her. It didn't take long for him to push her away. She took a deep breath. Inwardly she kept reminding herself that she was hoping for something, praying for something that might not really happen, but she couldn't help feeling slightly elated that she had actually managed to make contact. She had succeeded for good. It was nice to know she still had the skill to slip past Neron on rare occasions.

Jaedon watched, hoping that Neron her kiss had given Neron the will and the strength that he needed to fight back and cage his black side for good. That was what she wanted to happen, but dread filled her soul as she saw those reptilian eyes look at her. She almost felt a shiver go down her spine. It hadn't worked... She almost sighed, but kept it in. It hadn't worked. Her power to arouse Neron was not as great as the black dragons hold. It was useless. She took a slight step away and said in her normally apathetic tone, "Eh, what's one failure in the grand scheme of things. I guess I will just have to try something else." It was then that she looked up to the sky, a clear blue sky. She put a small smile on her face and quietly said, "I suppose it is a good thing I am a stubborn little fool." She looked back to Neron, "Don't think I will stop trying yet. You'll have to kill me first."

She was glad that she had tried, but the disappointment weighed heavily on her. She really had hoped to have Neron back in her arms. However, for some strange reason, she wouldn't allow hope to die within herself. Something told her this was not over with. There was something else, something more that she could do. She wondered if she should try kissing him again...It wasn't like it was unpleasant for her or anything...