Brethren of the Pen Challenge II: The Lost Years
The Real Threat
(Genre: Humor/drama)
This was not supposed to happen- at all! Will gazes at Estrella in absolute horror. Even his worst nightmare couldn't him corner like this.
Seven years ago it was that Mister Brown the blacksmith took him as his young apprentice. After Brown's wife had died because of vague reasons –people knew Brown drank too much- he lived together with his twelve year old daughter. From the moment he met her Will knew Estrella wasn't exactly the sweet, good girl she appeared to be. She had certain… mature aspirations.
For years Will had been able to handle her and her covert provocative behaviour, but that didn't mean he ever stopped feeling like a prey. Ironically his master kept warning him that if he would ever lay a hand on his precious daughter, he would not hesitate and cut off his balls. For –as he used to say grinning all drowsy by the wine - he had plenty of tools to accomplish such surgery. His drunk remarks must have done different to Estrella than it seemed at the time.
Just 5 minutes ago she entered the smithy where Will had been working on his master's latest assignment. Well, actually he had already finished and was now practising his skills in fighting swords when suddenly he heard her softsoap voice, saying: "Why do you always practise 3 hours a day? You're such a bore." Will, annoyed by the fact that her work over at the Swann Mansion obviously was done for the day and that he would be stalked by her for the rest of the day, grimly answered: "I practice 3 hours a day so that when I meet an enemy, I can kill it" Will's heart shrank while Estrella tittered in response.
The next moment she is all over him, kissing him everywhere and even biting his ear. For a second Will is paralyzed, completely overwhelmed now that what he had been afraid of for so long is actually happening. Two seconds later his disgust arouses his anger. With the strength of an animal in agony he pushes Estrella away, far away from him, off off him! They stare at each other, both confused for different reasons. In fact Will is worried about what he just did to her and drops his sword in desperation. But Estrella is the first to restrain herself. She vaguely smiles while she slowly starts to walk towards Will, who once more finds himself cornered and can do nothing but wait for what's to happen next. "So…. You know what has to be done when you lay a hand on me, don't you". It's not a question. There's pincers in her hand now. Wills' knees buckle and there's nowhere to run. As he feels Estrella's warm breath touching his face he closes his eyes, as tight as he can. The pincers reach his thighs, but Estrella waits, clearly enjoying the situation.
Then… "Snip, snip", Estrella croons. Instead of pain there's a little draft as Will's pants drop on the floor. Will nearly faints. "It's a miracle you didn't wet your pants… Binky", Estrella says scornful, then leaving the smithy.
After long, lonely minutes of recovering Will picks up his sword again and vainly tries to imagine himself fighting against another enemy than this vicious woman. While doing, he can not help himself wondering if he'll ever be able to learn again the difference between woe, and wooing.
Author's note:
Please know that I do not actually consider Binky… um, Will as a victim of sexual harassment nor do I consider Estrella capable of more than being a simple servant. All I can say is…still waters run deep and nothing is what it seems.