A/N: Summary: It's been twelve years since Marelle's parents were brutally murdered by Galbatorix's soldiers. She has been living by herself since she was ten after her caregiver died. When a strange man shows up and tells her things about her past that she would've liked to forget, she begins her long journey to the Varden where another man – the one who had saved her twelve years before – is awaiting her arrival.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters except Marelle and Star and some of her future friends.
Another A/N: So, this is a story that I started a long time ago and have just decided to finally post it I guess. I'll try updating every week. So yeah, here it is!
"Come, Star!" I called to my German shepherd puppy. She looked up at me, barked, and came bounding to my side. I smiled and we took off into a fast jog along the well-traveled deer run.
Hunting had been my hobby since Mama and Papa were murdered twelve years ago. They were killed by Galbatorix's soldiers, who were on a killing rampage due to the well deserved death of one of their comrades. With the dead soldier was a skinning knife stuck in his throat and a weeping half-naked woman.
The soldiers then made an example of her, saying that anyone else who decides to kill one of King Galbatorix's loyal soldiers, would be killed. The soldier holding the woman, Jessica, then slit her throat in front of the entire village.
A boy, Jonathan, only sixteen I remember, darted out of the shocked and horrified crowd, carrying a sword and screaming bloody murder. He cut down six of the soldiers before finally being stopped and silenced forever. In a frenzy, the villagers took off everywhere. The remaining soldiers - eighteen - charged through the town, killing anyone in their path. I was separated from my parents, so I took cover under the butcher shop steps, making sure none of the soldiers saw or heard me.
Being five, I wasn't sure what to do except cry and panic like everybody else. But I learned from my father that if you move around lots and yell like crazy, you're giving your enemy a target that will be easy to kill. So I hid, hoping that the soldiers would go away soon.
I saw my father fighting off the soldiers valiantly and killing many. Mama was also fighting, winning against everyone she was faced against. But then they were surrounded and attacked from behind, a coward's way of killing innocent people. I remember screaming out to them and one of the soldiers coming and dragging me out of my hiding spot. They were going to kill me, or worse. But nothing happened. They were all looking up into the dark sky, full of fear. I pulled away easily from my captor and rushed to my Papa's side. He was dead, as well as Mama. Tears spilled out of my eyes and I laid my head down onto my fathers' chest, grabbing Mama's hand and kissing it gently.
A mighty roar made me jump and the soldiers quiver. Something big was out there. A giant beast swooped down and roared, knocking some of the soldiers down. A man, who looked like he was fifteen or sixteen, hopped down quickly, pointing his sword at the soldiers. They faltered and ran towards their horses just outside of town. But the man didn't them go that easily. The beast, which I now remember was a sapphire blue dragon, breathed deeply and spewed out fire at the retreating soldiers. When the fires died down, the soldiers were gone.
I whimpered and buried my face in my fathers' bloody clothes. Don't kill me…. I had thought. The man walked towards me slowly, speaking a different language. But somehow, it soothed me, made me feel safe and secure here with this strange man. I looked up at his kind and pained face. Deep-green eyes and sandy blonde hair greeted my scared and horrified face.
"It's going to be okay." He assured me. I then reached for him, wanting to be held by someone who understood my pain. He lifted me up and stroked my head, again speaking in a funny language.
He then placed his hand on my forehead, spoke a few funny words, and then there was nothing. I couldn't remember anything else after that strange encounter. But if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be alive today.
Star stopped suddenly, breaking me out of my memories. She whimpered and would go no further on the trail. I walked back to her, kneeled down and stroked her head, whispering, "What's the matter, girl? Don't tell me the woods are spooking you out now." She just lay down and stared straight ahead, whimpering the whole time. I followed her line of sight to about five feet from us. Something shimmered in the path but was gone an instant later. I shook my head and continued walking, saying to Star, "I think you're imaging things, Star. There's nothing-." At that moment, metal scraping on metal rang through the air and I stopped dead in my tracks. Star growled behind me but did nothing.
"Stay where you are and you won't get hurt." A male voice said. I searched for the voice but found no one in the area. This way of hiding was obviously magic. A coward's way of hiding and killing innocent people. I decided to then draw him out, hoping that if he moved I would be able to see him and kill him.
"Hiding like a coward won't do you any good. I know where you are and I can kill you before you can even utter a sound." I bluffed, hoping he would reveal himself. The man shifted up ahead and moved to the side of the path. I followed him, making sure I always knew where he was.
"A coward? Haughty little girl. You really think you can kill me? You have no weapons, except for that pathetic bow on your back which you probably can't even use." He crowed. I simmered with anger, but did not attack, not yet anyways.
"I am not a little girl. I'm older than I look and I know how to use a sword and a bow." I huffed. The man laughed, obviously not believing me. Fine, I'll show you. Just one more smart-alek remark and I'll have your head I thought bitterly. I slowly reached behind my back for my dagger that was hidden in my waist belt. He didn't attack or say anything so I was obviously safe. For the time being.
"Why aren't you at home? Your father or your brother should be doing the hunting. You should be at home cleaning and cooking, like all women have to do." He said. Star growled and barked angrily. She knew that I was not one to cook and clean. Only when necessary of course.
That's it! I yelled in my head. I whipped my dagger out of the waist strap and flung it at the man, knowing that it would hit him. I heard a soft thump and a cry of pain and shock. The man appeared with a dagger embedded in his left shoulder, bleeding profoundly. He fell to his knees and looked up at me. Star saw an opportunity and bounded to him, knocking him onto his back. She growled and snapped at his face in warning. He only groaned and squeezed his eyes shut.
I sauntered up to him and pulled my dagger out slowly, revelling in the pain he felt. I then held the dagger at his neck, watching him squirm.
"Who sent you?" I asked menacingly. He clenched his mouth shut and didn't even groan in pain as I applied pressure to the dagger on his neck, making a small trickle of blood. So, I removed my dagger and pressed my hand on his wound. He yelled in pain, and then started laughing.
"You sure know how to make people talk, don't you?" He said through clenched teeth. I smirked and applied more pressure. His dark-brown eyes glared up at me and his black hair stuck to the sides of his head from sweating.
"Are you going to talk or am I going to put more pressure on your wound?" I asked scathingly. He snickered and shook his head, breathing heavily.
"If you don't do anything for this wound, I won't stay alive long enough to tell you anything." He said finally. He's got me stumped I thought to myself. This was a smart guy. And I hated him for it.
"Fine by me. I'll let you die here." I said as I took away my hand from his shoulder and let it bleed. I got up and walked away, Star following after one last angry bark at the man.
"I know who you are, Marelle!" The man yelled from behind me. I stopped and turned, waiting for him to say more.
"I know your parents died when you were five and the village you were living in was destroyed. Everyone died. Except for you." The man said. I stalked towards him and placed my knee hard on his chest, pinning him down.
"How do you know this? Are you one of the soldiers who were there and escaped from the dragon?" I whispered harshly. He only smiled and he knew he had won. I had to help him in order to find out how he knew about my past.
"Fine. Get up and get moving." I said angrily as I got off his chest. He rose to his feet and staggered. I caught him, almost falling myself from the sudden weight. Once we got out footing, we made our way back to my home. Star followed and watched the man carefully, making sure he didn't try something.
Good girl…
"Why did you stop me on the deer trail?" I asked after about fifteen minutes of applying a special medicinal herb on his shoulder. He glanced up at me, staying quiet. I poked hard at the wound and he hissed in surprise, glaring up at me. Humph, stubborn little twit I thought to myself. He sighed and looked away, seemingly contemplating whether he should tell me or not.
"I wasn't trying to. You were just around and you were coming dangerously close to-." He stopped suddenly, looking down.
"Close to what? Who or what were you protecting?" I asked curiously, hoping that he would just spit it out and tell me. He mumbled something and didn't say more. I sighed and grabbed a long strip of cloth, wrapping it around his shoulder, across his chest to his hip, and then I wrapped it a couple of times around his waist, tying it off.
"There, all done." I huffed. He looked it over and nodded, touching in some places that were a little tender. I walked over to my small bed and sat, watching him closely. He looked familiar but I wasn't sure. The man I was thinking of had blonde hair, not black hair. And this man had dark brown eyes; the man I knew and adored had green eyes. I missed him, even though I didn't know him, but he saved my life. He gave me a reason to go on with my life and a reason to fight for revenge.
"I should go. Thank you for everything." The man said breaking me out of my trance. He put his tunic back on and then tied his cloak to it. He grabbed everything of his and walked out of the open door. Five, four, three, two, one, drop I mentally counted down. He dropped like a rock half-way to the deer run and rolled slowly over onto his back. I rushed out to him and kneeled by his side, smiling over the amazing way this special herb works.
"What… have you….done to me?" He asked, slowly losing consciousness.
"I have done nothing. It's the herbs that have finally taken their toll on you. You'll be out for at least five hours." I said, enjoying the way he tried to look at me menacingly.
"Why….did you….do this to me?" He whispered.
"It was for your own sake. You lost a lot of blood from that wound. I was actually surprised you got up and walked out the door. But I knew you would succumb to sleep eventually." I explained. He closed his eyes and his breathing grew heavy and slowed down until I was finally sure he was fast asleep.
Star came bounding out of the house and sniffed him, growling softly. I patted her head and sighed. This guy was super heavy and it wasn't going to be easy to get him back into my house and onto the bed.
Well, here we go.
Five hours later, the man stirred. I turned away from Star who was playing outside with a small doll I made her awhile ago. The man groaned and rubbed his head. I stepped up to him and felt his forehead, making sure he wasn't feverish. Quickly grabbing the small bowl of water on the floor, I propped him up a little to drink it, but he would not let it even touch his lips.
"You need to drink this." I said, annoyed at his child-like behaviour. He shook his head saying, "I refuse to eat or drink anything that comes from your hands." I frowned and put the bowl down, dropping his head back onto the bed. He grunted and glared at me for the rough treatment.
"It's not poisoned if that's what you're thinking." I huffed. I walked back to the door, deciding that he could get his own water. I heard the bed creak and I spun around; I couldn't let him be behind me with a sword close by him. He held his head in his hands, his whole body shaking slightly.
"So, are you going to drink the water or do I have to force it done your throat?" I asked. He didn't answer so I walked up to the bed again and sat beside him, picking up the water bowl. I put it under his face, trying to make him see it, but he shoved my hand away, spilling water on the bed and floor.
"I said I didn't want it." He hissed. He looked up at me and glared menacingly. I glared back and then without restraining myself, I slapped him. His head snapped away from me and his hair covered his expression, but I could tell by his breathing that he was really upset.
Idiot, Marelle! Why did you do that? I scowled myself. Embarrassed, and ashamed that I did it, I got up and walked back to the door, looking at the mountains. I didn't exactly care that he was behind me now; I just didn't want to see his face because I know I hit him hard.
Suddenly, I felt the tip of a sword at my throat, biting into my skin. I wasn't surprised really, I heard him coming and I knew he would come eventually, but not this soon.
"Move and I won't kill you." He whispered harshly. I just stared out the doorway, lifting my head up high to try and keep the sword from cutting me anymore. But he pressed it on me harder, making more warm blood trickle down my throat. I shuddered slightly, but then I swallowed my fear and glared up at the sky. He must have felt me shudder because he moved closer and wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me closer to his shaking body. The sword slid forward, cutting deeper into my skin. I hissed in pain and grabbed his arm, trying to make him let go of me, but he just held on tighter.
"You're strong, I'll give you that. But if you don't move, I will kill you and shove you aside anyways." He hissed in my ear.
"Answer my question, then I will move." I said quickly, trying not to let my fear of being killed be heard through my voice. He hesitated but released my waist, stepping back a little.
"How do you know about my past?" I asked quietly, a knot rising up into my throat as I thought about my parents. He didn't answer, so I carefully raised my hand to the sword and pushed it away from my neck. He let it fall away and stumbled back to my bed; he was still really weak.
I grabbed at my neck to stop the blood flow, but I still felt really dizzy. I turned towards the table to grab some of the cloth there to tie around my neck. I must have miscalculated the distance to the table because I fell flat on my face. Star came bounding into the house to see what the entire racket was about. She sniffed my face and whimpered. I only smiled and patted her head, already losing consciousness. The man knelt by my side and turned me over onto my back to help the blood stop flowing. He took the cloth from the table and wiped at my neck. I hissed in pain and closed my eyes, wanting to rest a little.
Something hit my face and I opened my heavy eye lids to see what it was. It was the man's hand hitting my face, trying to keep me awake. He was saying something but I couldn't hear him, so I then succumbed to the darkness that was enveloping me.