Their Own Circumstance

If there was ever a time to announce the coming of Zorrla, it should be 'after' a jovial celebration and not during. The unpleasantness that her name evoked could have been likened to a sudden rain inside Ellamir's new home during their festive gathering. The only thing more unsettling than her name is Zorrla's presence in the flesh, a typhoon of unpredictability and wickedness. Indeed, there is no way that Ellamir would receive this news in a positive light no matter how Maessha spun it.

"There's no fucking way I'm letting that mad woman near Ellani!" Ellamir stood from the wooden sofa, her face contorted into anger and disbelief. The nerve of that woman to even think about meeting Ellani after everything she put Antani through!

The sisters' gathered around the living room expected Ellamir's reaction.

Seated right next to Ellamir, Antani held Ellamir's hand, soothing her anxiety and urging her to return to her seat. Ellamir held Antani's hand tight, she needed her emotional anchor right now more than ever.

Playing between Alara and Maessha, Ellani ran towards her elf mother. For someone so young, Ellani had an acute sense, discerning that her mother is under duress.

"Mama is okay?" Her tone, close to slurring but the worry in her question went straight to Ellamir.

Their little princess extended both of her hands, demanded she be carried.

Ah, how could Ellamir show her unsightly, raging side to her daughter? Ellamir's grimace converted into a smile, picking up Ellani into her arms before taking a seat once again.

"Yes, little darling, mama is okay."

"Although I do agree that we should never let her meet Ellani, mother's arrival is inevitable. The festival of glory is near."

The festival where Ellamir and Antani first met.

"But what does that have to do with her visit, don't tell me she's going to represent the dark elves in the tournament?"

"Not mother, sister, me. I will be our representative for the Festival of Glory. If it were any other fighter she would've been content to stay in the underdark, but you know mother. She must be there to witness my victory firsthand."

"You're kidding, that means we're both going to end up fighting at the arena!" Alara chimed in.

"No way, the Amazons are sending you to fight for them!?"

No glint of fear can be found on Maessha's question, perhaps there was even excitement at their eventual match up. They saw a fraction of what the other was capable of, they shall blitz through all of their opponents and undoubtedly meet in the arena.

"I am, and don't think I'm going to go easy on you." Alara smirked, her tone laced with exhilaration.

"Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way. Mark my words, Alara, I will annihilate you in that arena."

Alara's infectious smirk curved Maessha's lips into a grin, both gazing into each other's eager eyes. Even Maessha's threat dripped with eagerness to pit her magic and armor against Alara's icy might. Although the pride of their denizens rests upon their shoulders, just thinking of how thrilling it would be to face off against the other in a grand arena amidst thousands of spectators temporarily unburdens them. It was an honor that either would love to share.

A fated clash during the festival, the way their eyes brighten the way they look at each other. Antani's brow shot up, this a rehash of Antani and Ellamir's situation three years ago! Ah, but their sisters have it far better than them since they will meet in the arena as friends. But what if they met in it as something more?

With a mischievous smile, Antani questioned, "I'm sensing something from the both of you. Do you two like each other?"

Their enthused smiles vanished as Alara and Maessha were caught off guard by Antani's question, for it was the question they asked themselves that they weren't ready to answer just yet. The two warriors looked like deers passing the road about to get run over by a carriage, frozen.

"Hah, as if Maessha would harbor feelings for this blue brute!?" Of course, Ellamir just had to give her opinion on the matter. "Isn't that right, Maessha?"

"Sister…I…" How easy it would be for Maessha to say no, but since she's gazing right into the gorgeous giantess' eyes, a stern but soft stare from Alara, almost pleading for Maessha to say yes, Maessha couldn't disprove Antani's question.

"Maessha…why are you not answering!?" Ellamir panicked. Fucking great, her day was already ruined by the news of her mother's arrival and now this!? "No, there's no fucking way you're thinking of being with this…" Ellamir caught herself, her temper almost got a hold of her, almost raining obscenities that her daughter's ears should never grace.

Alara struggled with her emotions as well, but not to the point that she would rule out being with Maessha. In Alara's eyes, she could see Ellamir for what she is, a massive hypocrite.

"You're with my sister but I can't be with yours? Sod off, Ellamir. Who Maessha chooses to be with will be her decision and hers alone." Alara glared, challenging Ellamir's authority.

"You…" Ellamir's voice trembled with rage, like a dam ready to burst, unleashing a terrible flood of fury.

"Ellamir that's enough, it's getting late, let's put Ellani to bed." Antani said, standing in between the two about to lock horns.

There's still a lot that Ellamir's tongue want to unload on the blue woman but out of respect for her beloved, Ellamir will let this slide.

Watching the figure of her sister carrying her daughter fade, Maessha sighed.

"Forgive my sister, Ellamir is a bit...difficult."

Alara grinned, "Tell me about it. I sincerely have no idea how Antani could even tolerate her."

"It's no mystery, one look at the three of them and you'll know why."

Silence reigned for the both of them, Antani's earlier question fresh from their mind. Neither willing to ask the question directly.

It was Maessha that left first, ready to climb the stairs, she flashed Alara a smile.

+++

With Ellani sleeping soundly between them, Antani tried not to raise her timbre yet her tone belied her heated eagerness to know why Ellamir abhors Maessha and Alara becoming a couple.

"Give it to me straight, my love, why are against the thought of my sister being with yours?"

"I am not. I just...I just want what's best for Maessha. The disdain Alara held for us when we first met, I don't want Maessha to experience that."

"Does it look like Alara is treating Maessha unkindly!? Your sister even likes to spend time with mine!"

"Shhh, you'll wake Ellani up." Ellamir chastised, brushing their daughter's ashen hair.

"We had our own circumstances that caused Alara to act that way, and now that they have theirs, you're acting like this! Just don't interfere with what they have, let them figure out what they feel for each other on their own terms. Swear to me."

Ellamir grumbled, unable to deny her lover's heartfelt request. And honestly, what she and Antani have, Ellamir hopes for Maessha to one day experience such happiness too.

"Alright, I swear!"