Opposite sides of the River
 

Arkerril settled down upon the rocks, while wondering how he would survive in this land without shadows. It was amazing how crossing a river could change your world, or rather how being banished could do so. He eyed the pale scars upon his dark forearm as he flexed the muscles, remembering when he'd earned them and how it had led to this.

Banished to the land of the elves because he had dared to defy orders. The white haired man had saved an elven child, and for that he'd lost everything. Years spent clawing up the ranks in the drow army, wreaking havoc everywhere ... And this was how things ended.

The wounds he'd bound bled sluggishly, and Arkerril was too tired to change the white bandages. Instead he looked up at the dark sky, illuminated by a pale moon. It was beautiful, this place where light was everywhere. The drow lived in cavernous places, with only a rare few ever leaving the darkness below ground. When the sun rose, his eyes would burn. By then he doubted he would care, as he lay in oblivion by the waterfall.

It was hot that day, Sharian had been hunting in the forest for food for his people. Usual he would be in a hunting party but Sharian tends to hunt by himself. He found the river and decide to take a break since he wasn't have much luck hunting. He sets his bow and arrows down before he removes his shirt then his boots.

The elf wasn't aware there was another near on the other side of the river. He place his stuff on the ground before he walks right into the water of the river. Sharian begans to swim around cooling off from the summer heat. Floating on his back, he stares up at the sky and sighs deeply. He loved being out here even thougt there was many enemies out there but he had been train very well to take care of himself.

Splashing sounds made the drow lift his head. There was a form in the water, pale and shining in the moonlight. His golden eyes widened and he found himself slipping into the water as well. Though his entrance wasn't quite so grateful. It was more like a resounding splash, and then spluttering sounds. For you see, Arkerril didn't know how to swim.

There might have been underground water in his home, but none of them were allowed to swim there. Only the nobles did that, and then only those of the priestly cast. So now the drow found himself slipping into silent oblivion cradled by a watery embrace. It eased the pain of his wounds, and stole his breath all at once. What a strangely peaceful way to die for someone who'd caused so much havoc.

Sharian heard a slash and sounds of someone having trouble swimming. He looks around and saw someone was in the water. He quickly swam over and stops Sharian searches around but it seem the person had when underwater. So he quickly dives under and saw the man but to his surpise it was a drow. Sharian was always taught to kill a drow since they was their major foe. But he did have a soft spot in his heart and couldn't bare to see another in trouble no matter if it was friend or foe. So the black hair elf swims with all of his might and grabs the drow. Once he had a good hold on him he swims up pulling the drow back to the surface.

Someone was taking hold of him. The drow resisted the temptation to trash and fight for air, instead reveling in the sensation of feeling weightless. Then Arkerril felt cool air hitting his face, and then he let himself breathe, taking in cool air in great big gulps. The drow didn't know who had helped him, and felt some dread. Only elves swam about here, since this was their territory. Even so, he felt no urge to kill the person who'd given him back a life of loneliness. No, he'd do something else. The white haired man would try to repay him. At least, those were Arkerril's thoughts as he moved his arms feebly. It was strange, how the water turned red when blood flowed into it.

Sharian manages to pull the drow to the shore line near where his stuff was. Putting the drow enought on the edge before he got out of the water. He turns around and pulls the male more onto the ground but it wasn't easy. Once both men was on shore he would hurry up to start a fire. It was hard to see but he could tell the other was wounded by the smell of blood.

Once the fire was started he grabs his bag and pulls out some bandages. Cause you never know when he would need them. The elf bents down next to him and changes the bandages on the drow then puts on fresh clean ones after he drys the wound off. No telling how many germs was in the water from the river. But with his first aid training he easy took care of the drow's wound.

The drow shivered lightly, and coughed up the water clogging up his lungs as the other man took care of his wounds. For some reason, Arkerril realized warmth was seeping into his body. It was rather strange after falling into the water, and being outside upon this cool moonlit night. Slowly, the warrior cracked his golden eyes open as he tried to see his rescuer. Was it that elf from earlier?, wondered the pale haired man silently. If so, what a change of circumstances! From being a killer of these people to being under the care of one ...

"Elf, why didn't you let me drown?" His voice was nothing more then a croak. Usually it was soft and quiet, as if any loud noise might bring doom upon it's owner. Under these circumstances though, it was understandably rough.

The elf tosses some more wood onto the fire. He takes a seat on a blanket while he looks over at the drow who woke up. "Name's Sharian and the reason I save you is because no one shouldn't go out that way..no matter what..plus it seem you was wounded. It was the worst way to die...and its just the type of person I am. No matter if you are my enemy or not." says with an angelic voice, looking at him. He grabs his shirt and slips it on since it was cool plus he have the drow his blanket.

The drow chuckled a little at how defensive the elf was being, though laughing hurt his wounds. "Are all elves so moral? No wonder we've had such ease slaughtering your kind." Arkerril struggled to sit and eyed the man warily with a sigh. "It would have been better to let me drown. It's an easy, almost painless death. In fact, I do believe I'm angry with you about that. Though I'm much too tired to make you pay for it." He would once he was recovered, promised the drow to himself as he closed his eyes. Just as soon as he was feeling better.

With the last thought he drifted off to sleep.

Sharian couldn't help but to chuckle alittle. He wasn't surpised by how the drow is. Watching him and yawns alittle he was tired himself and it was just to late to head back. He just hope no one would come looking for him. Sharian lays down on the ground once after he watch the drow fall asleep. The elf would end up falling asleep himself.

With a groan Arkerril struggled to regain consciousness. For a moment he forgot everything that had happened the night before until his golden eyes fell upon the elf who had saved his life. Not quite believing the situation, he reached out a dark hand to pass a hand over one smooth, pale, cheek. "You really should have left me to die. I can only bring trouble to you and your kind." It had been quite unwise for this apparently young elf to do anything of the sort, in fact it had been quite foolish of him.

Still, the man had indeed saved him and the drow owed him for that. Glancing down at his bandaged wounds, the drow frowned for a few moments before shrugging. It was time to go forage for some food. Though he hadn't much strength, he could gather berries and roots at least. Arkerril set about the task with silent determination and soon had a pile of appetizing things laid out near the elf. He of course had snacked upon things as he gathered.

Sharian slept peacefully but he did feel a warm feeling touch his cheek. He rolls over onto his side once after that feeling left. After a few minutes later he would wake up. He rubs his eyes as they open looking up at the sky for an moment before looking over seeing the drow. The elf slowly sits up while brushing some his blond hair back from his face. And fixes it back into a ponytail. "Uhh..how are you feeling?" says.

He look over the drow abit but mainly at the bandage to make sure it didn't need another change. But he was sure the bandage would need to after Arkerril moved around alot. He looks ove at the berries and roots the drow had gather and he felt his own stomach growl.

Arkerril looked pointedly at the food and motioned for the elf to eat. "This is the least I can do." Though the thanks wasn't entirely warranted, since he would have welcomed the kind of peaceful death offered by the water. "So am I a prisoner now, Sir Elf?" In a way the drow looked forward to the experience.

He'd never had much experience with the warriors of elven society. The raiding parties sent out by his people had never ventured that far into elven territory.

Sharian would begans to eat some of the berries the drow had gathered. He would think about it at first he could just let the drow go but he couldn't after all the drow was on his territory now. Looking up at him and nods "Yes you are..but you will be under my care once we return to my village." says. Mostly they would just be throw in the dungeon but most tribes do that..so this was going to be the first drow his tribe had got. So he would make sure the male would be under his care. "The name is Sharian..." says softly.

The drow rolled his eyes a little and watched with amusement as the elf began to eat. This was going to be interesting at least, though he wasn't looking forward to being a prisoner. "Arkerril." The other man was so certain he would get his way. Perhaps he would ... That would give the dark skinned drow a reason to get on his good side. It was doubtful that Arkerril would even try that. Wounded as he was, he simply didn't care anymore.

Sharian stands up and walks over to the water. He bents down next to it and washes his hands "We should get going..before the village relieze I haven't return from my hunting trip and come searching for me." says. Standing up and drys his hands as he moves over picking up his leather tunic from the ground and slips it on. "Are you ok to walk? Its an long walk back to the village." his blue eyes looking at him. "Or should I carry you back to the village." says. Sitting on the rock and puts on his shoes.

The white haired man shoved himself up from the ground with a groan. With a stumble, Arkerril found that he was looking up at the blue sky. Dizzily he lifted a hand to press it to his forehead with a wry smile. "I believe that carrying me might be best, no matter how embarrassing it is." Not to mention humiliating. O well, at least the chances of him staying with this elf would be greater then. He didn't relish falling to the hands of others who would torture him for information, and for revenge. It was what he would have done under the circumstances if he was in their position.

The elf walks over to the drow and sighs deeply. He was far to weak from what Sharain saw to walk back on his own. He bents down after put his bow and quiver back on him cause he needed his arms free to carry Arkerril back. Picking the drow up bridal style and would began to walk back long the path. Not sure what his elders will say about this but maybe he could sneak into his village without being see. It was still earily in the morning so hopefully not many would be up.