Chapter One

Roy was in prison because of him. Laurel was at odds with her father, who once again hated him, because of him. Dig was had a wife and child to care for and almost became a wanted man because of him. Felicity was in a relationship with Ray Palmer, the man who took his company from him and built a superhero suit, because of him. Oliver Queen was a wanted man with few options and none of them were good.

Ra's Al Ghul had left him few options: he could either become his heir or go expose himself as the real Arrow and join Roy in prison. He had to nod his head in respect. In prison he could help no one, but as the heir to the Demon, he could effect change and protect those he loved. It really wasn't much of a choice.

Taking a deep breath Oliver stood on rooftop and waited. He knew he was being constantly watched by the league, so all he had to do was wait and someone of importance would appear.

"Are you ready to accept your fate?" Maseo asked as he exited from a shadow.

"Yes, Sarab, I am ready," he answered hoarsely.

The emotions he was feeling were almost overwhelming but he was expert at submerging those emotions. He turned and looked at his one-time friend, who was soon to become his disciple.

"Ra's Al Ghul will be pleased," said Sarab. "There is a private plane on standby at a private airfield just outside of the city. After we join the Demon, we will leave this city."

"Do I have time to say goodbye?" he asked.

"You have accepted Ra's Al Ghul's offer, Oliver. I am now at your service," said Sarab.

"Take me to Ra's," he said."

Arrow

Oliver was impressed with the underground facility where Ra's made his stay in Starling City. The League of Assassins had been to Starling City several times in the past. Ra's himself visited this city for the first time one hundred and twenty years ago. That was when this underground facility was built and hidden from all eyes, except league eyes.

Oliver stood in the long hall, which was lit by torches and a great fire. In his green robe coat with his sword at his side, Ra's appeared. He was smiling.

"You have come to your senses, I see," he said.

"You left me little choice," replied Oliver.

"There is always a choice. This is something you should remember. You may not like the choices left you, but there is always a choice," stated Ra's.

"I choose your offer over prison," Oliver said.

Both men stood across from each other in similar poses with their hands behind their backs and relaxed posture. The ten assassins in the hall stood at alert and waited for orders.

"We can leave for Nanda Parbat where you will be branded and named," Ra's told him.

"Can I say goodbye to my friends?" Oliver asked.

"I will allow you to write a letter to all of them, except one. One will be brought to you to say goodbye. It is a fair offer," said Ra's. "Who do you wish brought to you?"

Oliver closed his eyes for a moment. He would only be allowed to say goodbye to one in person. Who? Although Thea or Dig was the most likely choice, his heart told him otherwise. He needed to say goodbye to Felicity in person.

"Felicity Smoak," he said.

Ra's smiled then said, "You will be brought to an anteroom to write your letters and wait for your Felicity."

Oliver nodded then followed Sarab to an anteroom. It was lit by candles and had a table with pen and paper waiting for him. There was also a bed of plush pillows and several comfortable Ottoman's to sit on. Never taking his pea coat off, he sat at the table and wrote his letters. An hour later when he was done, he knocked on the door and it was opened by one of the league. He handed him the letters then sat down on the one of the Ottoman to wait.

Arrow

Felicity was at odds with Ray. Her mother was right she was in love with Oliver and she didn't know how to resolve her relationship with Ray since Oliver was the ever unattainable. She really liked Ray, enjoyed his company, and enjoyed their partnership, but she was sure she could love him.

Exiting Palmer Technologies, she waited for her car to be brought to her. As a VP she had gotten used to special treatment. Her new car, a Lexus hybrid car that was a gift from Ray for solving several of his suits problems, pulled up at the curb. She waited for the driver to get out and let her into her own car, when someone swiftly came up behind her and whispered in her ear, "The heir wishes to see you. Do as I say and you will not be hurt?"

"I really don't want to be hurt," she said.

"Get in the backseat," the voice said.

She got into the backseat and was joined by Sarab, who handed her a black velvet hood.

"Put the hood on," he said.

"Can I just close my eyes? Hoods freak me out," she said.

"Put the hood on," he demanded.

Felicity slipped the hood.

Arrow

Oliver heard the door being unlocked and slowly opening. From his seated position, he turned his head and looked to see who it was. Dressed in a black shirt, black jeans, and her cashmere overcoat, Felicity entered the room. Her hair was down. When she saw him, her expression went from shocked to concern in a matter of seconds.

"Oliver, what is this all about?" she asked.

He smiled. At least, he would be able to say goodbye to Felicity in person.

"Please, Felicity, sit down," he said and nodded at the other Ottoman.

She sat down. For a moment they just stared at each other. Finally, he smiled and spoke.

"I asked you to be brought here," he said.

"They told me the heir asked for me," she said.

He nodded yes. Felicity understood, but she wasn't ready to accept it.

"Oliver, you can't take his offer. You have to come home with me. You can't go with Ra's," she demanded.

He reached over and took her hands into his hands and squeezed them lightly.

"Listen to me, Felicity," he said. "Please, hear me out."

"Oliver..."

"Felicity, please," he said.

"Talk," she replied not really wanting to hear his excuses.

"This is the best choice I have. Ra's has left me with nothing. Roy has sacrificed himself for me, which I intend on rectifying when I can. Captain Lance will never let me be the Arrow again and, anyway, I don't want Dig, Laurel, and you to continue without me. It's too dangerous now. As Ra's heir I will endure until I can find a way to have this mantle taken from me," he explained.

"Oliver, what about... me?" she asked him with tears in her eyes.

"I do this because I don't want you hurt. I want you safe. Until I can return to this city free from this choice I've made, I can make sure that you and those I love are safe," he said.

"But you won't be here," she said.

"You have Ray," he said softly.

"I don't want Ray; I want you. I've always wanted you. If it wasn't for your foolish nobility and mindset that you can't be the Arrow and have love, I would be with you," she said.

Oliver looked down at the floor. She was right. He had put up all the obstacles in their relationship because he didn't want he to be stuck with a man who was a vigilante. It was poetic justice that Ray was now the Atom, a vigilante in a super suit. Maybe he had been wrong.

"I wish you were with me," he stated quietly but with an intensity that sent a shiver down Felicity's spine.

"Be with me. Please, be with me at least once. You are the man I love, Oliver. No other, but you," she pleaded.

His heart began thumping in his chest. He stood up and offered her his hand. She took it and he guided her to her feet. Once she was on her feet, he helped her off with her coat, which he tossed towards the desk and chair. Next, he gently took off her glasses. These he careful placed down so that they weren't broken. Once she was without her glasses he held her face in his hands.

"I love you, Felicity Smoak, and I will never stop loving you," he told her.

Before she could respond he kissed her. It started as a soft exploring kiss, but as Felicity responded it deepened and became an all encompassing passionate kiss that left both of them slightly lightheaded. When he broke the kiss, Felicity moaned her displeasure. She didn't want it to end.

Oliver reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and over her head then he unbuttoned her jeans with a snap of her fingers. There was a playful smirk on his face. She felt her insides melt. Suddenly, a floodgate of passion opened on both their parts. Everything they held back, every emotion they repressed, was let loose. In a torrent of movement they stripped each other until Felicity found herself naked and on top of Oliver.

For a moment she stopped moving and looked down at him. He stared back at her, his blazing blue eyes darkened by want and need. Her hands started to trace his scars on his chest then she leaned down and kissed and licked them. Oliver groaned, which made her laugh. She could feel him full erected now and shuddered.

Oliver grabbed her hips and guided her until she was mewling with pleasure. He allowed her to set adjust to his size then set the pace. Oliver didn't know if this would be there only time or if there would be other chances for them to make love. It all depended upon his plan, which was to be the best heir he could be right until he forfeited his mantle to someone who was better suited to lead the League of Assassins. He didn't know if it would be six months, a year, or six years, but he intended on coming back to his city, to his family, and to the woman he loved.

Arrow

Diggle heard a knock on the door. By the time he answered it there was no one there. All that was there was a letter attached to his door with a flechette. He immediately recognized the handwriting as Oliver's. Opening the letter he started to read. Oliver explained his decision to Dig and offered his loyalty and never dying friendship. He called Dig his brother and wrote that he intended on his brother and his family again.

Diggle crumpled the letter and threw it as far as he could. It hit the wall and fell to the floor. Oliver should have talked to him, he should have let him in on his plan. He didn't want to cry but tears burned at his eyes. Fighting the tears down he vowed to see Oliver again and the next time he saw him, he wouldn't let him sacrifice himself without a fight.

Thea read the letter that her brother sent her and she broke down crying. He sent her one and also one for Roy, expecting her to give it to him on one of her visits. She was now alone. He brother had done the noble thing and sacrificed himself for his friends, his family, and his city. With Roy in prison and Oliver gone, she had no one, except Malcolm. And she hated him.

Laurel read the letter and swore a blue streak then managed to destroy half her apartment. She refused to cry for Oliver because she had done enough of that in the past. No, this time she wouldn't mourn me and be angry with me, but she would just be angry with him for his foolish nobility. There was a knock on her door. Laurel opened it to see Nyssa standing there.

Looking over Laurel's shoulder, she noticed the mess that Laurel had made. It made her smile because it reminded her of Sara.

"May I come in?" Nyssa asked.

"I'm going to have some wine. Do you want to join me?" asked Laurel.

Nyssa entered and watched Laurel walk over to her bar area.

"Bad news?" she asked Laurel.

"I received a letter from Oliver," answered Laurel.

"The heir," stated Nyssa with some bitterness. "It is because of him that I am here. I came to bid you farewell for now. I must return to Nanda Parbat for the naming of the heir."

Laurel poured herself a glass of chardonnay and took a sip.

"Oliver will be getting a new name?" she asked.

"Everyone who enters the league does. Since I was born into the league I only have one name," said Nyssa. "Do you wish me to forward a message to the heir?"

"Tell him to get his ass back to Starling City so I can kick his butt," growled Laurel.

Nyssa smiled.

Felicity awoke to find she was clothed and alone and in her bedroom. On the pillow beside her was a handwritten letter from Oliver. She opened it then read it. He professed his undying love and promised to return someday, though he didn't expect her to wait for him. In the letter he told her that he wanted her to be happy and when he returned if she was with someone, he'd understand. He wouldn't bother her, except to see her once again with his own eyes then he told her not to think about him, but to try and forget him.

The sobs built up inside of her until she was weeping uncontrollably. She would never she able to forget him. Oliver Queen was not the type of man you forgot about, especially when you loved him. And she did love him. He promised to come back, so she would hold onto that for now, and when she saw him again, she wouldn't let him go.

Arrow

Ra's explained to him that he would not speak to him again until he was given a new name and branded and blooded. Oliver nodded. The trip took place in silence. They landed at an airport in Afghanistan where hummers were waiting for them. From the airport they drove hours until the hummers could no longer handle the terrain. They switched from vehicles to horses and continued their journey until they were at Nanda Parbat.

Oliver followed orders. He was brought to his living area. There was a living area with a table and wooden chairs then there were soft plush pillows for lounging. He also had a bathroom, which was simple and almost primitive, and a bedroom with a large bed, silk sheets, and soft pillows. Everything was lit by candlelight or torch. What few generators that had were used for room where communications and some computers were kept. Oliver was left with his new clothes, the uniform of a league assassin. Sarab told him to dress because the naming ceremony was to take place.

In silence he did as he was told. Sarab led him to a large, open area where many had gathered. An older woman in dressed in black waited for him. She stood beside Ra's and on the other side of Ra's was Nyssa.

'We are gathered here to name my heir. His current name is Oliver Queen, but he now must be reborn into the league, not just one of you, but as the man who will lead you when I step down. Until the day he becomes Ra's Al Ghul. Birth and rebirth are painful, so this day he must endure pain. It will start with the Demon brand, a brand I also carry on my back," Ra's lectured. "Strip him of his upper clothes and tie him to the post."

Two assassins stripped him of his upper garments leaving him in just his pants and boots. They then tied his arms outstretched to a post. Oliver stood there silently and waited for what he expected to be pain.

The woman in black walked over to him. She grabbed a branding iron from a pit of hit coals. It was the demon's head brand. Looking at Oliver's back, she was impressed by all his scars. Scars meant he could endure. She chose his shoulder without the tattoo of the dragoon and pressed the hot brand to his other shoulder blade. It sizzled and the smell of burnt flesh tinged the air. Oliver bit down and gritted his teeth and endured.

Pulling the brand away, she returned it to the coals. Ra's nodded and another woman from the came forward and poured water on his wound and patted dry. She then dabbed a healing salve on it. Oliver didn't make a noise.

"It's time for the naming and the blooding. Cut him down," ordered Ra's.

Sarab cut Oliver down. Oliver's arms fell to his sides and stayed there.

"Blood him," ordered Ra's.

The woman in black took out a gold blade from a gold sheath. She walked up to Oliver and drew a long line of blood across his chest. He grimaced and did nothing more.

"I will now name the heir," announced Ra's. "In honor of his past, a reminder of whence he came, he shall be known as Al Sahim, the Arrow. From this day until the day he ascends to my position he shall be known as Al Sahim Al Ghul. Welcome, Al Sahim to my family. Your training begins tomorrow."

Oliver bowed his head then lifted it. Ra's offered him a pleasant smile, while he noticed Nyssa just stood there glaring at him. He was now the heir to the demon.