The sun's blissful rays fell upon the icy tops of the magnificent eastern European mountains.
The skies? any could mistake in for a canvas--painted in a soft hue of pink. the wind howled in a low manner.
Rustle* rustle* the grass shifted under the feet of two.
There along the Ruthenian forest's trails ran--a woman. Her blonde ringlets fluttered against the wind as she yelled out in breathless joy.
S-Slav...! her lips curled in a gracious smile as she fled.
Elen!wait--Do not run too far!
The man behind her followed her. His voice etched with something between amusement and worry.
You ought to hurt yourself...! trudge* trudge* trudge* oh god... he murmured.
Though Eleanor seemed to be without a care as she sprinted, clutching the hem of her dress. the forest guided her through.
Huf* huf* huf*
the sound of his frail breath seemed to only fuel me as I then sprinted. Gazing at him from time to time. My heart pounded in my chest.
This was a challenge to him--(I then smirked*) come one Slav! cannot be slow in the times of wars!! Ha!
His voice came out dry, oh...you...I'm not in one, huf*, huf* am I? he asked, voice hinting disbelief.
I let myself wander around--as my feet than grazed against something hairy.
My eyes then fell to the tiny creatures. I watched in awe as they scampered their way up the majestic trees.
My heart thudded. My stomach twisted--Yet masking it, I continued.
Eleanor then glanced at him from above her shoulder, she grinned mischievously, "Make haste, Slav!" she yelled, as if to provoke him.
Slav's steps slowed, his lips then carved a small smirk. Fine... if that's how you want to play. I watch her run, freely.
Her hands then shot to her abdomen as she gritted her lips. Watching her-my face instantly went pale.
At that second--Something primal in me woke. My eyes softened. I wanted to hold her waist.Ask her on her wellbeing. Kiss her until she runs out of breath.
Come on Slav!! her giggles echoed throughout the trails snapping me out of my dreamland.
Slav smirked; he then retreated as he let his husky eyes dart as if to search.
Meanwhile, few steps in--Eleanor turned back to see him gone. Her brows furrowed as she then began wandering.
Slav? Slav! This isn't humorous! (She pants*) her eyes darted clutching at her necklace as she then stumbled onto a tree.
Where had this man gone...? her eyes darted back and forth in worry.
Her hands then instinctively clutched at the branch--Delicate fingers grazing at the rough bark as if to count its years.
I pursed my lips and stood there. My eyes wandering in a worried manner.
Just then--A warm breath washed over my back. My pulse quickened, my eyes then knowingly widened.
Just as she turned--Eleanor felt a pair of arms planted to both side of her shoulders against the bark. The familiar scent hit her like a terrain.
Her lips parted, S-Slav... she breathed.
A small smirk danced at his lips as he then inched closer. Caging her in. "
What was that, Eleanor?"running away from my grasp...?
He then leaned in closer--Lips brushing against the lobe of her ear.
I must say, you did not do a pretty good job on it....
S-Slav... what are you--Her voice trailed off as she felt his head resting against the nape of her neck--He nuzzled his nose against her. as if to breath her scent.
Ah...the scent, the same one's from all those years ago. My eyes glinted with the past memories.
Where once I had been a squire. young, naive. I was reckless, pulling fights I couldn't fight. Nevertheless, I still fought. No matter the person or however much my limbs ached.
My clothes had been in tatters. My face...? beyond recognizable. The definition of "mess" I was.
Then--Past memories once again flooded my mind. It was an unbearable night--A night where me and my fellow men were struck in a unrelentless storm.
The cold had worn us out, so much so that many of my soldiers passed. Only my brother, Yaroslav remained.
We wandered around, knowing that somehow...we must survive...
Though...gazing at the forest's wilderness--My hope was slipping by my fingers like sand. That night had been the cruelest of nights.
Yaroslav and I began to walk. Clutching our swords. My eyes darted like a hawk. The wind moaned in a low tone. As our feet sunk into the thick sheet of snow.
The pitter patter of the snow mixed rain descended down and clung to my lashed. The bridge of our noses, red, burning.
We then coughed out dry, feeling the bitter taste of the water. My body ached as the fog became more imminent.
Gazing at my brother, I called him.
Yaroslav...
he shot me a look. What is it, big brother?
We need to find shelter...
I then glanced up the inky dark sky--my eyes searching for a droplet of mercy...Yet--The rain only progressed. Droplets of ice then fell and trailed down the high cheekbones sending a shiver through my nerves.
God...
I murmured, my voice barley a breath. Drained of all hope.
My lips then carved a bitter smile, "If this is your mercy"...
A lough chuckle rumbled out of my chest. "Then what even is your wrath?"
my eyes then fluttered to him.
" We must find shelter, for he cold...will get us"
Yaroslav's hazel eyes fell; he gazed at the snow coated soil and nodded. Then I patted his back.
"We will find something" I murmured, not even believing my own words. He gave me a nodded.
We then conversed on state matters. I saw his eyes glint.
"We will march on them" He then shot me a look; his lips curled in a hopeful smile. I watched him silently, then reached out to ruffle his raven hair.
We will, my lion, we will. I murmured.
Just as we turned--A solid arrow traveled to my direction, aiming at my chest. My eyes widened, barely having the time to react, I stood there frozen.
That's when without a thought,
BROTHER!!!
Yaroslav stepped in...
Ack... * The arrow mercilessly pierced his chest as he then fell with a grunt.
YAROSLAV!!! my voice came out a second later as I then dropped to my knees. I clutched on to him, tight. Heart hammering against my rib.
Yaroslav....
His eyes rolled up, hands clutching at soil as his breathing the slowed. My heart dropped, say something...!
B-brother...
YAROSLAV!! Hah...hah...hah... S-Say something...? my voice pressed.
B-Brother, d-do not worry... find that degenerate...
My eyes then swelled up as I clutched at the soil--I then rose to my feet. Sprinting to the path of the cowardice dog.
My feet moved in a precise manner.
IF YOU ARE A MAN, COME OUT! WE WILL SURELY FIGHT AS MEN! INSTEAD OF STABBING US AS WE TURN OUR BACKS!
Just then--A sharp piercing noise cut the air as my back then involuntarily arched. Agh...* I gasped. My hands traveled to my back, grazing at the blood covered leather.
I then saw the man sprint--clutching at his bow.
C-Cowardice...dog...
I winced from the arrow wound, still fresh. My face had collected dust. as I then felt my legs go weak. My heart thudded, then my knees buckled as I then flopped to the ground with a thud.
My lips curled bitterly, G-Gutless...degenerates... hah...hah...*
I felt my vision blur as I then passed out.