I was no sailor, but a warrior. A knight of my good king, knight Duradin. I served him with dignity and honor. His was the fairest and largest country in the land and I was proud to serve it in such a noble sector. I myself had just returned from the victory at Hanatin, for you see, our country was still at war with with the Kitaronian empire. I had been sent home with minor battle wounds and wasn't to return to the battlefeild for months. It was luck, no, not luck at all, but fate that brought the maiden fair to me that day. I had been searching the carts of the marketplace for a good blade I could sheath underneath my cloak, for as fair as the city was it's danger was growing every day. I had seen just a glimpse of her at first, it was her raven-black hair that caught my eye, for I had never seen one with hair so dark yet so beautiful before. She was looking through the cart of books, which struck me as odd for I had never known a woman to read before. In my ignorance I asked her if she'd like a hand with the titles, I presumed she was buying books for a brother or a father scholler. She lifted her face and cast the coldest stare I've ever seen in my direction. It was at that exact point in time that I fell in love. Though filled at the moment with contempt and aggrivation her eyes were lively and bright. They shone like two bright emeralds with the slightest specks of brown clouding them in a few places. Her skin was creamy and pale as I'd ever known anyone's to be, it seemed to shine in the light of that day.

I met a man today. He obviously wanted to start a conversation with me, but in doing so he was as rude as anyone ever dared to be to me. He had the nerve to imply I was illiterate, he made the absurd assumption that I was another of those unlearned bimbos that seem to manifest in this time and place. I sent him the coldest glare I could muster for one so handsome. It was amusing at first, seeing him tremble in his sandles. But then he quickly regained his composure and stared me down. I hate being dominated, so I chose a fate for him that gained me an advantage as well. I could see he was stubborn, and strong. He was perfect for my curse. Just another pawn I acumulated over the ages, yes. He would do nicely. And I watched him walk away from me as his light brown hair tassled in the breese, and he turned to fix his ice blue eyes on me for the last time that day, yes, it had allready taken effect.

Lilly maid, oh love of old. Where can I find you, where have you gone? I haven't seen your stunning face in days now. Every second we spend apart seems to take forever. I'm afraid if I do not get another dose of you I may fall apart. How did I live before you came along? I musn't have been living at all. My life seems insignificant now, suppose all that has passed was just to lead me to this moment. What if this is the climax of my life? what then? Do I fall apart ever so slowly, or will you let me keep you? Will you let me live again, or do you plan to leave me for dead now that I'm addicted to you? You are my perfect drug.

Days now, it's been days since I've been able to enjoy a meal, or a sunrise, or a night's rest. You make these things unimoprtant, insignificant. You dominate all that is beauty, all that is pleasure in the world. My family doesn't even bother talking to me anymore. They all think I'm obsessed with this image of you. I'm not obsessed, I'm in love. Let me love, let me rest, let me be.

Duradin spent his days in darkness, and his nights wandering the empty streets. Allways searching for the maiden fair. She kept herself hidden from him, hidden yet not blind to his actions. She could see perfectly well the extent to which the idea of herself had manifested in him. Faloor smiled to herself and shrank back into the darness, he really was a handsome man. Duradin stumbled and cried out to the heavens, "Why!?" he colapsed to the ground and ponded the soil, "Why God, why did you take her away from me after having me fall so madly for her? is this a test? is this the end!!"

Faloor gasped, and quickly rushed out, but slowed to a casualshuffle as she neared Duradin. She brushed her hand against his back, "Why young man, why so angry?" she asked with a hint of almost regale in her voice.

Duradin looked up at her, and wiping the mixture of dirt and tears from his face stood up. "I am not angry anymore, for my cry has been answered."

Faloor looked on him with a smirk on her face, "How do you know they have been answered?" She cooed, sliding her had softly across his bare chest and then pulled it away and turned from him, "The gods, they could be playing with you. The things they give can be taken away just as quickly as given."

Duradin placed a hand on her icy shoulder and felt her tremble beneath his strength, "I just pray they let me keep my sanity, for without your presence I will surely be driven mad."

Faloor turned to him again, forcing his hand from it's resting place, "I am not theirs to give. I have control over my own destiny, unlike you." How could she have let him get to her like that? It wasn't like her to get emotionally involved in her work. He was just supposed to be a pawn, not a king. She couldn't let him gain control of her.

Duradin, seemingly unphased by her outburst, smiled. He leaned close to her and whispered, "See? I knew you cared. You wouldn't be angry if you didn't. You're just as human as I." He seemed pleased with this conclusion of his and as he slowly moved away from her he stared deep into her eyes, searching for something...

Faloor closed her eyes and shook her head, annoyed now that she had let this man see so clearly through her facade. Now she would have to work twice as hard to regain control of him. He was a target and should be treated as such. She took several deep breaths and opened her eyes, yes, she could take control again.

That woman, I saw her again last night. She was more beautiful that I had remembered. Then again, her beauty is incomprehensible, I'm sure to be blown away an exponential ammount more next time I see her. Yes, next time. I'm allready shivering with anticipation of our next meeting. She's like a beutiful plauge and I'm a victim of her mutant love. Yes, love. I know now she loves me, though she may not know it yet herself. And I love her, oh how I love her. She has become my everything. I shall wait though, wait for her to realise her love for me. Then maybe... we can be.

That man, oh that man, why can I not seem to control myself around him? It's as if all the skills I posess are useless around him. I turn to a pile of useless jelly. I cannot go on like this, I must overcome my surges of emotion, I must overcome my trace of humanity. I will suceed in this case, it would be a shame to fail after all this time... after all this work. I must suceed. I musn't surrender. I shall hold my head high and uncaring, I shall present myself to him again tonight and this time I will not let my emotions get the better of me.

That night, shrouded in the darkness, Faloor made her way to Duradin's abode. He was still drugged from their encounter the previous night, and sleeping soundlessly. She was surprised at how peacful he looked, just lying there. She placed a hand on his tawny skin and felt the tingle of warmth surge up her arm. Yes, warmth was there, but something else was also there, trying to gain control of her. Faloor quickly pulled her hand away, and looked at it in amazment. She was calm, she was cool, she was an ice goddess. Something changed in her with that touch, something melted within her.

Duradin shot up out of bed and he looked into her eyes with an intensity that made her tremble.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, "How did you know where to find me?" this was asked in more of a tone of profound amazment.