Eira's eyes widened with fear as she looked at Arnar. He smiled reassuringly and patted her hand.
"I will be alright, Eira," he said in a low voice, "I won't let it control me."
Arnar glanced at Eira, and they both continued walking forward. "Another snake is here," Arnar murmured, "Now show yourself."
In a matter of seconds, a white snake appeared before them, clearly visible in the light of the full moon. It slithered and hissed, attempting to intimidate them.
"Do not play games with me," Arnar shouted at the snake, causing it to stop moving.
"Where is the the person we're looking for?" Arnar demanded again.
The snake turned its head from side to side, seemingly contemplating its response. Finally, it made a decision.
"I know you don't care about your brothers," Arnar continued, but the snake remained silent. "You seek revenge, don't you?" he said, speaking as if addressing an animal. "But you won't receive any support from me. Now show me where the witch is."
Eira stood behind him, her fingers gently fidgeting as confusion and fear consumed her. She wasn't sure how to react to Arnar's actions or if trusting the snake would be wise. For now, she simply stood behind him, observing the tense situation.
"Where is the bitch?" Arnar asked once more.
The snake turned its head, seemingly looking at him, but hesitated in revealing the truth.
"I will not repeat my question," Arnar warned firmly.
Finally, the snake moved to one side and indicated the direction with its tail. Arnar unsheathed his sword and handed it to Eira.
"Here is my sword, Eira," he said, causing Eira to frown, perplexed by his actions.
"Take it and protect yourself," Arnar continued, patting her head gently. "If this snake dares to attack us from behind, slice its head."
Eira still frowned, but accepted the sword and followed him as they ventured deeper into the forest.
After about ten minutes, they came across a cave. A circle of stones surrounded its entrance. They both stepped into the circle, their eyes scanned the surroundings carefully.
A hissing sound emerged from the cave.
Arnar and Eira cautiously entered the cave, where they found a woman sitting on a chair, smiling at them.
Her teeth resembled those of a snake, and her lower body had transformed into a lizard's tail, covered in scales.
"Why are you here, king of elves?" the woman asked, displaying her serpentine grin.
"I thought you had agreed to grant me the power I need. And why are you hiding?" Arnar asked, standing in front of her," her cold and scaly legs in full view.
The snake-woman smiled once more. "I thought you wouldn't come," she said. "I am disappointed in you. You didn't bring your wives here with you. You are not very skilled at being a king, Arnar."
"And you're not very good at keeping your legs either," Arnar retorted with a smirk.
"Oh, I prefer it this way," the witch replied. "I have no desire to return to my human form. However, I must say, you are not that adept at being a king either. You cannot control your women, and you have no friends."
"Do not dare to speak of my position," Arnar warned her. "I am here to fulfill the deal we made long time ago. So do not attempt to play games."
"Deal...?" Eira raised an eyebrow but refrained from interrupting her husband, uncertain of how to respond to the unfolding situation.
"I know you desire to become the king of elves once more, Arnar," she continued, "but you cannot achieve that without my help. You want access to the mountain's secret passage, yet I cannot grant it to you."
Arnar let out a long sigh. "And I know you want your legs back, but I cannot grant you that either."
Eira, standing with her hands behind her back, furrowed her brow once again.
She disliked the turn of events and could sense the tension in the cave. She couldn't remain silent any longer; she had to say something.
"I am not giving you my power, Arnar," the snake said with resolute tone, "But I can assist you in acquiring it. I must remain here until I regain my own power."
"Bitch, you make no sense," Arnar retorted, unable to endure it any longer. He couldn't comprehend her intentions.
Eira observed the witch as she opened her mouth, reaching towards the sky with her hands. Scales covered her tail, and a dark mist emanated from her back. The snakes transformation unfolded before their eyes.
"Arnar...?" Eira began to ask, but she paused when she noticed his nonchalant expression.
He understood what was happening.
This thing opened her mouth again, and the hissing sound grew louder, but it began to change.
"This slut…" Without allowing the snake to finish its action, Arnar seized it by the neck and forcefully pushed it against the wall, creating a resounding thud.
"Stop this nonsense, you retarded being," he said in a low voice, silencing the hissing sound. "I have no time for games."
Arnar pushed her once more, this time more aggressively.
Then, he placed his hands around her neck, squeezing tightly.
The hissing sound ceased. He tightened his grip even further, and the snake began to change shape once again. Its skin turned red, and its head expanded, growing larger and larger.
Arnar released his hold on the snakes-like-woman neck, leaving her lying on her side, breathing heavily.
She was bewildered, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.
She looked at Arnar, trying to understand, but his intentions eluded her.
She didn't know if he sought to finish her off or ask for forgiveness, yet he did nothing.
"Now I understand you," he said with a smile. "You cannot obtain power without giving something in return. You are so weak that you cannot control yourself. You require power to make it work. It's not like the elves, who can exercise self-control."
This thing remained silent, uncertain of how to proceed. The demon had taken her legs, rendering her unable to stand.
Arnar understood her predicament.
"Do you think I will give you something in return?" Arnar asked, but the snake did not respond. "Do you believe I will offer anything after what you've done to me?"
Eira's eyes widened, her hands became clammy. She observed the snake's gaze fixed upon her husband, unable to comprehend their unspoken exchange.
She didn't know how to react, but she knew this snake couldn't stand on her own.
Furthermore, the witch's enchanting emerald eyes ignited a flame of jealousy and discomfort within Eira.
She desired Arnar for herself alone.
"I could return your legs," Arnar proposed, "but in exchange, you will grant me passage through the secret mountain route. There are demons I must greet."
The witch studied Arnar for a moment, as if attempting to read his thoughts.
She observed his posture and heard the conviction in his voice.
She believed Arnar to be a cold and malevolent individual, an inadequate king who cared only for himself.
She had encountered many men like him, including demons.
Pushing aside her long, straight, grey hair that concealed her face, the witch turned to Arnar and inquired, "And what do you desire in return, King?"
Arnar let out a short, mocking laugh, his smirk widened as he responded, "You."
___
Author:
Okay, I wasn't sure what term to use, so at times, I may refer to it as she, it, snake, or thing. Feminists, please understand that I don't care.