Artemis was about to say something,when he looked at Llyud."Llyud?"He asked shaking the Aegyl."Llyud?You okay?"He asked now gettin worried.Looking around he found that his fruit's coloring was a little off.Then he took the fruit and sniffed it.It smelt with the faint sent of a burn serum.Burn serum's are used to have burns heal faster,but if you injest the serum,depending on how much you take in, you can die or get really sick.

Throwing the tainted fruit along now had someone to convict for this.Artemis looked down and lifted the Llyud up.He then started a slow run, fast walk to the campsite to help get Llyud better.

((Been a bit since something happened to Llyud and not to Artemis now, so I thought it was about time. XD But Artemis won't get away from training anyhow. XD))

That really had been an unexpected turn of event. But what was there to expect when half of the elves in this camp were heartless barbarians that really did anything to ruin it for each other. Llyud should have been a bit more careful with the fruit since it had a somewhat off color. But he simply didn't think about it, and had let his guard down.

But at least Llyud were lucky enough to have Artemis there. Who knew what the one that poisoned the fruit to begin with would do if Llyud had been alone?
And since he hadn't taken that much of the poisoned fruit, he would be ok. But he most likely wouldn't be feeling well for a while. But that didn't mean that Artemis got to slack off with training.

But for tonight Artemis would get to take a break.

((lol XD))
Running into the medical tent Artemis was panting."My friend was posioned by a burn serum."He said.The medical elves then motioned him over and a nruse said."Place him on the bed."Artemis nodded his head,and placed the Aegyl on the bed."Okay now when did he take the serum?"A doctor asked."We were eating fruit by the lake,and I guess that's how it was tainted...."Artemis said.Sighing the doctor nodded his head."Okay can someone get me a needle,and two bottles of the antidote."Three nurses nodded their head and went to get his items.

Coming back minutes later,they handed them the items.Poking the needle in the bottle the doctor pulled out the green clear liquid."Now after your friend will need another dose of this later on."He said placing the needle in Llyud's arm."Thank you."Artemis said with relief.The elf took a seat on the bed next to Llyud's just to rest his legs.

((*shivers* Needles.... X_x))

Llyud really wasn't feeling well, obviously, but he was still rather aware of what was going on. And if he could move at the moment, they wouldn't be getting anywhere near him with that needle. But he was rather out of it right now, so there was nothing he really could do. At least not till he was better. But for now, he would rest and get better. He didn't want to worry Artemis over small things. But on other hand, this was a rather serious situation since some one obviously wanted him dead. And he had an idea of who it might be as well. But oh well.

A little while after the, really creepy injection, he was starting to wake up But he was feeling really sick. The worst he have ever had before was a cold, but this was allot worse. He would never eat something that looked off again.

((Not a needle person?))
The doctors and nurses went back to what thye were doing before,while Artemis waited for Llyud to wake up.When the elf saw Llyud waking up,he softly asked."Llyud?You awake?"He then placed his over Llyud's.Niki's going to pay for that....He thought bitterly.Niki hated Llyud for what happened eariler today,and so like the child Niki was he decided to posion the Aegyl.

Someone thene came into the tent,and as if on cue it was Niki."I heard what happened from the other tribe members,I wanted to see if everything was okay."He said with snicker hidden behind his question.

((I have a strong phobia when it comes to needles and injections. specially injections. Bad experience... X_x (No, not drugs. But a really horrible doctor)))

Just hearing Niki's voice right now was giving him a headache. That voice was the last thing he wanted to hear right now. And since he was awake, Llyud just glared at Niki with rather tired eyes, before turning to Artemis. He was not going to let Niki get away with this. So he motioned for Artemis to come closer, since he felt as if he would be sick if he spoke too loud.

"Artemis... Once I'm back on my feet, may I drop him off a cliff?"

He clearly was experiencing hatred towards the elf, since he really wanted to kill him. But it would probably be better to kill Niki then to give Niki more chances to kill them.

Artemis placed a hand on his head,and stroke his hair."You just relax.I'll handle him."Artemis then turned to back in Niki's direction and stood up."How dare you come in here and ask that question."He began taking quick strides.Niki wasn't afraid of Artemis one bit."What are you going to do?Kill me?Or just snap at me for hurting your friend?"Niki asked crossing his arms along his chest.

Leaving only an inch between them,Artemis said."Worse..."He then lashed his arms out and grabbed the elfs hair,dragging him out of the medical tent.Standing on the platform that is going to be for Artemis Leadership Ceremony he said in a loud stern voice."My tribesmen.It seems that one of our people,decided to try and kill my advisor.Maybe in an attempt to kill me.Now I'm not going to give him any physical punishment...."He then let go of Niki."However,I will banish him from our tribe.The banishment is effected immeditly."Niki looked at him."What!You can't banish me!"The elf cried.Artemis just looked at him."And since he is of the lowest form of elf,burn his stuff.So he can live with the snakes and serpents he belongs with."Niki's hate turned to fear.

Guards and fire mages walked over to his tent and pour a liquid on the inside,they then lit it on fire.Artemis then got off the platform.The tent itself was made out of fire-proof material for the forest fires that come,so that if they sweep across the woods their currecnty in the people would be safe.The things inside are not fire-proof however.The elf wouldn't watch the scene that unfolded before him,and went back into the tent,while nurses and doctors exited the tent quickly.

When Artemis placed a hand on his head and stroked his hair, it actually felt nice, and it helped him to calm down as well. But it sure was a surprise to hear that Artemis would take care of Niki. Considering how Artemis had been up till now, he couldn't really imagine Artemis solving something like this. This really must have been over the edge to what Artemis would accept. And it might have worked that he had someone believing in him as well. But he just hoped that Artemis wouldn't become like the other elves. But on other hand, Llyud wouldn't allow that.

And after Llyud was done punishing the creep and was back in the tent, Llyud had pretty much, almost, fallen asleep. The fuzz outside was currently keeping him awake, so when it was over he had been starting to drift.

Artemis came back and sat on the bed next to him again.The elf seemed a little upset about what he did.He never really got angry at people,and he surely never burnt or banished people either.But he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt Llyud, in anyway.He looked at Llyud who seemed to be trying to get some sleep.Instead of trying to wake him,he stroked his hair again,and kissed his forehead before standing and walking to the enterence of the tent.

Llyud couldn't help but to smile a bit when he felt Artemis hand, and even a kidd on his forehead. But he wasn't in the mood to sleep any longer. He looked up and looked over at Artemis. Even if he was proud of Artemis sticking up to the idiot, and even banishing him. But he was somewhat afraid that Artemis might end up changing for the bad, so Llyud would keep an eye on him and make sure that his friend didn't turn into a monster like all other elves.

But he doubted that Artemis could turn into a bad person. He was far too nice.

Weeks had passed after the banishment of Niki,and was now off something was off.Kiro died shorty after the insident,and Artemis took over as Tribe Leader.Things started smoothly,but qucikly got sticky. Artemis turned into a bitter and strict man.The childern watched in depressed horror as the once goofy and chidish Artemis turned cold and hard.Artemis still protected them,but with an iron fist.He stopped enjoying the presnce of anyone,including Llyud,which Sheba only noticed.Watching the new Leader spin out of control,she knew something was going to happen to him sooner or later.

Llyud had recovered completely during the last couple of weeks. At least physically, but emotionally, he was becoming a wreck. The man he knew was completely gone. And all that was left was this cruel harsh man.
And lately, just for the sake of the children, Llyud had tried to somewhat take over for Artemis, plying and entertaining the children and trying to convince both the children and himself that things would be fine. Even if it just seemed to get worse. But at least he was getting along so much better with the elves now. Specially the parents, and the children. What little kid didn't dream of flying? So even if Artemis was becoming cruel, Llyud was becoming more social. But except for the kids, he had allot to do thanks to Artemis. No one really dared asking Artemis for favors anymore, so it was always to go Llyud if there was something they needed help with.

But for now, he was simply playing with the kids, so that he could forget about his emotional problems for a while and just have fun. And the kids were having fun too. He was holding a stick that the kids were hanging from while he tried to stay in the air. The kids really loved doing this. And he was trying to stay close to the ground, in case one would lose the grip and fall. But since he wasn't used to being so near the ground, he some times did fly a bit high. But the kids didn't mind that at all. They were just having fun.

Artemis watched Llyud play with the kids,and it just created knots in his stomach.He remembered their conversation before Niki posioned him.He still wished he could stop the Aegyl from flying without hurting him.Turning around closing his tent door,sighing he punched the shelves in the tent causing them to fall over.'Shit!'Artemis muttered sitting down to pick up his books.

After playing with the kids almost all day, he was completely exhausted. He couldn't remember last when he had been flying around with this much extra weight for so long. He had no feeling left in his wings. But at least he have had fun, and so did the kids, so it was all worth it. But of course, playing around and carrying the kids around, that most likely shortened his life span with a few years. At least if he kept this up, carrying around children all day. But why would a few years matter as long as he was happy? Even if he wasn't really happy anymore. At least not when playtime with the kids was over.
He missed the old Artemis so bad. He didn't even share tent with him anymore. In fact, Llyud had his own tent now, but near the middle of the camp. In case Niki was still sneaking around around the camp.

But oh well. It was time to go meet Artemis now. Usually, he would be really glad about that, but lately, they hadn't been getting along well at all. Artemis had changed so much that Llyud really couldn't recognize him at all. He was praying every day that it was just temporary and that it would pass soon. Maybe Llyud had given him too much confidence trough the training he had been giving him in handling a spear.

But anyhow. He headed to Artemis tent, carrying the stick he had used when playing with the kids, mostly out of habit. It felt somewhat better to hold onto something when speaking to Artemis these days, even if it was only a stick.

"Artemis? You're here?"

He asked as he entered the tent, taking a look around.

"Go away!"He snapped lifting his shelf up.Artemis was bitter and angry,to the tribe,it felt like years passed,when in reality a few weeks passed.He then turned around and repeated."Get out!"He got angry at the littlest things,now.And he'd blame everyone for everything,especially Llyud.He hated Llyud for what's going to happen to him,yet deep down he cared for him deeply,and that's why he's angry.

It felt like a spear just going trough his chest hearing Artemis telling him to get out. But, he was so tired of this now. He didn't want to see Artemis like this. So even as Artemis told him to get out, he just took a few steps closer to him instead. He really had to try get Artemis to speak about what was wrong. It was not normal for some one to go from the kindest person one ever could meet to a cold and cruel person in just a few weeks. And Llyud had probably thought about it allot of times before, but he would not give up on Artemis. He simply couldn't give up on him.

"Artemis... We really have to speak... So please don't ask me to leave..."

Artemis backed up from him."No.I don't want to..."He then turned around."Just leave me alone,Llyud."He said feeling absolutely dead inside.The elf then sighed and coldly said."I think it'd be better for you not to be here anymore...."He couldn't bring himself to utter these words over a whisper.Over the last few weeks,his heart became like ice,and on the same coin it became like play-dough to emotions.He smiplily could not have Llyud around anymore,the guilt was cutting away at the dough to the point he resented the Aegyl.

Llyud just felt how his blood froze hearing what Artemis whispered. He couldn't be serious. Artemis had chosen Llyud as his adviser as they were friends. They were supposed to be friends at least. But lately, Llyud had no idea what was going on with Artemis at all. But he couldn't accept this. He didn't want to leave Artemis. As Artemis had told him when he started feeling emotions and still were confused by them. What he felt for Artemis was true love. And he still felt that way about him, even if what Artemis was telling him hurt him.

He couldn't take it anymore. Even if Artemis was trying to reject him, Llyud stepped right up to him and just wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tight and burying his face in Artemis chest. He just couldn't take it anymore. He needed to know what was wrong, now.

"Artemis, stop saying things like that. I know that's not what you want. Please tell me what's happened to you. I don't recognize you at all. What happened to the clumsy and happy person I knew?"

His heart almost melted,but to protect himself for furture dispare,Artemis placed his hands on Llyud,and shoved him away."I meant what I said."He stated coldly.His eyes shown the same coldness."Remember when I had Niki's tent burnt...that's where the old Artemis went,he burnt away leaving the cold husk you see before you."He then added walking towards the tent door.He opened it for the Aegyl and said."Good bye Llyud."

Llyud just felt his heart shatter when Artemis shoved him away and told him that the old Artemis was gone. And when Artemis told him good bye, just just lowered his head, so that Artemis wouldn't see that he was in fact crying. He didn't want to believe that the man he had loved and supported was gone. But it really seemed that he was.

As he turned and started heading out trough the opening that Artemis was holding up for him, he stopped for a moment, handing Artemis the stick he had been carrying.

"Remember this stick Artemis? It's the same one that you threw when you managed to get three hits in a row, and you were so happy that you jumped into the pound to get it to keep as memory... I really don't believe that the Artemis I loved is gone... But it seems he really is... The Artemis I knew was not a heartless monster... Farewell Artemis..."

That was pretty much the last thing he had to say to him before he walked outside, flying off, not even saying a word of what had just happened to the confused children that was standing outside the tent, just watching as Llyud flew off.

Artemis closed the tent and looked at the stick,he sat down in a chair and twisted the stick in his hands.He then looked at the shelf and took down the stick that he retreved from the lake a few weeks ago.Looking at both of them,he sighed.Placing then down on his lap,he closed his eyes,and leaned his head against the back of the head rest.

The elf managed to get some sleep and he was remembering what happened the conversation they had.
If you didn't have wings would you live longer?I mean I think you told me that your life span as been shortened because of them,so if you were to lose them would you live longer?"

"If I lost my wings I would pretty much be a normal human in a way. So, yes, my life span would probably increase. Then I would maybe live till I'm about sixty rather then forty. But on other hand, an Aegyl without wings is better off dead. We're far to dependent on our wings to really make it without them. But why are you asking that?"

"Just curious....But the worst part is,is that I can help but want you to live longer.I feel so helpless,and it's my fault that you have to suffer with me with the fact that you also want to live longer,but we both know that it can't happen.Even thought no matter how I feel or what happens,even when your gone...I'll still feel like you could have done something to make you die later....I'm sorry about that.I hope I'm not insulting you..."

"I know it's hard. But I think it's better to just live for the moment rather then dwell on what's to come. And even as that time comes, I won't leave you...."


That last senentce woke him up along with lighting.Running outside,Artemis saw that it was raining out.He stood their and looked at the now dark sky.Still holding both sticks in his hands,he repeated something from his dream."Live for the moment.....rather then dwell on what's to come..."With his eyes widening,and his hand now on his mouth the elf ran back inside,to get his bag.Placing the sticks in his bag he ran out of his tent and off in the direction he last saw Llyud fly in.He was going to find Llyud,no matter what he had to do.

Llyud had pretty much been flying as far as possible today. And by air, you could get far, compared to those that had to walk. So Llyud probably had at least a few hours or even a day's head start of Artemis by now. And he didn't even know that Artemis was coming after him. As far as he knew, the Artemis he knew was gone. And that was bringing him down quite a bit. So when it started raining and thunder was striking, he still stayed in the air for as long as possible. He honestly didn't care right now if he was hit by lightening. He had nothing left. And he had nowhere to go. But when his wings were getting soaked and heavy, it was probably time to land. And he did spot a cave entrance not too far away. It would be a perfect shelter for tonight. Maybe he could think things trough a bit, and decide where to go?

He gave a sigh as he landed and got inside the cave. He was soaked and cold, but he wasn't in the mood to make a fire. He probably wouldn't find dry firewood anyhow in this weather. He just sat down in the cave, trying to cover himself up with his wings as good as possible as he tried to figure out what to do. And he did decide on, that maybe going back to the Aegyl village would be a plan? Even if emotions could be extremely painful, it was still an experience worth sharing with the other Aegyl. So he had pretty much decided that, as soon as the storm stopped, he would head to the Aegyl village. There he was always accepted at least...

Artemis on the other hand walked through mud.He passed a tribe on the move,so he kept in the trees so that word of his leave wouldn't reach his tribe.Then he finally decided to sit in an old tree and wait for the rain to pass.Since he couldn't sleep he started to carve a spear out of one of the sticks that he had with him,so that he could hunt and have something to eat at night.

Llyud didn't manage to get any sleep or even attempted to find himself something to eat either. He just sat trough the night, trying to stay warm and not freeze to death. Having wings at this moment was really useful, since they helped a great deal. And since he was moving them around, they were pretty much dry when the rain stopped, but with a few feathers on the ground that had fallen off. And the color of his feathers you really couldn't mistake. But even if it was still dark, he decided that he would try get all the way back to the Aegyl village now. He could rest once he got there. After all, he had his own home back there. Unless an Aegyl was gone for a year, their home would be untouched. And Llyud had only been gone for a few weeks, so he should still have a home.

He gave a heavy sigh as he started flying again. He knew the directions very well, so he didn't need to see more then shapes to know where he was supposed to go. And around afternoon, after flying almost all night, he was home. The small Aegyl village in the valley between the mountains. And since he was rather exhausted, frozen and hungry, he was taken care of the moment he set his foot in the village. It was actually nice to be home. And once he had some rest, he would tell them about the crystals and that they could gain emotions simply by crushing them. But for now, he would rest, and recover his energy. He never thought he would be happy to come back here. Even if they had no emotions, it was so much better being back here then to watch how his dear friend turned colder and colder each day. And it was nice being in his own bed, and old familiar faces around him to take care of him till he was better. Since it was only exhaustion, and a slight cold, he would be back on his legs in a day.

The elf started walking early that morning.He knew that Llyud had to live somewhere remote,but this was ridiculious.But Artemis kept moving,by afternoon,he was dry again,but his clothing and hair suffered from the mudd.Artemis's hair was sticking to his face,and in matted knots.Later when he gets back to his tent,he'll cut his hair shorter.

By sundown Artemis could see the mountains,and a space between them.He stared at it,and hoped that he could find a place get into it without having to climb the mountain.Sighing he got ready for nightfall by sleeping in a near by cave.Making a fire,the elf pulled his knees up to his chest,and started crying slightly.He knew that it was his fault that Llyud left,and he hoped and prayed to his ansestors that they'll help him get Llyud back even if the Aegyl will hate him for the rest of his life.