[Amanaduial the archer]

Stunned Amanaduial jerked swayed slightly as Thrakatburz broke away from the bond.She turned her face away."I think black suits me much better, dont you? It doesnt show the blood." Although her voice was as harsh as ever, Aman had felt her tears on her cheeks mingling with her own before she broke away. After a second the memories of everything she had seen in both their minds came flooding back to her, but she let them come. As the two strongest came last she closed her eyes as tears ran freely. The two sat in silence for a while before Aman spoke, needing to say what she had been thinking; after such openness she couldnt keep such a thing to herself.
"You see we are not so different."
Thrakatburz remained silent for a long moment before snapping back with her usual cynical harsh voice, now almost breaking."And how do you figure that one out, child?"she spat the last word.Amanaduial gulped and pressed on.
"We-we both have a terrible weakness from a memory. And both our familys were killed...in front of our eyes...."She closed her eyes again, as the memorys came back...The flames...the screams...her sister....Thrakatburz looked up sharply and sensing the movement Aman opned her eyes. The look the other elf wore was almost thoughtful, but sly.
"Tell me Amanaduial...now we have opened our minds to each other there is still something Id like to know..."raising her head to look Thrakatburz in the face, Amans puzzled expression made her go on."When did you get your powers?"
"I-I dont really know...i suppose when I was in childhood still-"
"no, I mean what big events had happened."
"I-"
"Had it happened?"
"I dont know, it-"
"So you didnt rush to help your family hmmm?"
"No!youre right, I, I dont think I had them before that."Putting her head in her hands Aman tried to shut out the now mingled memorys of herself and the other elf.The sly look returned to Thrakatburzs face. Very gently she raised Amanaduials chin with one slender finger so she was looking directly into her eyes.Silkily smooth, she continued.
"A few nights after my child had been murdered, I found myself venting my anger on things...without using my hands. I played mind games with those around me, teasing them,my bitterness twisting me. I drove Keldins father the old king insane! Others joined me when I left, bitter hard people, men, orcs, even rebel elves. We destroyed many people and places. Why-"still speaking softly she went on"-Your own village may have been one of them!But soon I felt the need for real power and haunted armies and camps, like this one.
Have you ever wondered where all those dark feelings inside you come from?I sensed them.And how they wish to be expressed?It would be so easy! Because like me, your powers come from your darkness!"
Amans eyes widened as she saw what Thrakatburz was getting at."No!"She whispered.
"Oh yes! I know you try to do good works, but really the true powers are at the root of all of it. You stumble around in the leaves, but you cant get rid of the roots. Like me, you are really a dark witch at heart.
Siluialwen cried out at that, as did Amanaduial. "No! Im not evil, I-I do r-right-"
"No Aman. you are at heart just as bad as me!" At that Aman looked up again into Thrakatburzs eyes, and remembered the fair tall maiden with the beautiful baby. She could still see the rememant of that in her eyes. Siluialwen wasnt gone yet. Dropping her voice she put her face even closer to the other elfs. Vety quietly...
"Yes maybe. But think, where does your heart truly lie?"