A/N: Chapter 4 already! Woooooooo! I noticed the last three chapters are kind of on the shorter side so I've decided to step it up a notch and post something a little longer okay like double the size. i will try to keep the chapters on the longer side from this day forth. Oh and I'm pretty sure you lovelies will be getting another chapter tomorrow. Hopefully. Maybe even two! To be clear this probably won't be a super duper long story overall! Like maybe only 8 chapters left. I don't want to get carried away, haha! ANYWAYS I hope you enjoy! :D (Oh a little heads up, its kinda dark.)
Elizabeth woke early that morning. Long before anyone else began stirring. She laid in the bed next to Sir Meliodas thinking about what she would say to him. First and foremost she would need to apologize. She had no right walking out on them all last night. Sir Meliodas was just trying to protect her. She sighed lightly careful to not wake him up. Then she got an idea. As carefully as she could she got out of bed and walked to the closet. Pulling from it and outfit very similar to the day she met Sir Meliodas, though this one had one attached sleeve. She had to seem tough after all. She was going down to Bowerstone to find out as much as she could about that cavern. Maybe it would help them when they got there. She was sure they would be checking it out today. She pulled a dark cloak over her head for the extra protection, besides it was so early it would probably be chilly.
She smiled at Sir Meliodas. He was splayed out on top of the sheets sleeping soundly. She then began to blush seeing his firm muscles through the black tank top he often slept in. She looked away and carefully went down the stairs into the tavern.
Elizabeth paused looking down the stairs to Merlin's study. She saw a faint glowing light there, maybe a candle, and considered letting her know where she was going. Elizabeth decided against it, unsure of whether or not Merlin was sleeping and instead turned and walked out the door.
The morning air was cold and damp, just as she had expected. There was a light fog over the grass all around. She could barely see Diane's makeshift tent set up by the forest where she would be sleeping. She glanced back at the second story window of the Boar Hat and smiled lightly before setting off to town.
Overall Bowerstone was pretty quiet. She passed a couple of farmers just coming out to feed the animals but once in town all was still. Once she got closer to the piers she started seeing more men. Only the early morning fishermen were out already heading to their boats to get the earliest catch. She smiled and nodded to a few before remembering that she was trying to look tough. She then decided instead to cross her arms nonchalantly and walk slowly down the street, not that anyone would be able to see her arms under the cloak. She considered walking with her hands behind her head as she had seen Sir Meliodas do so many times before but she knew that would give away her tough guy facade. Elizabeth listened intently to the few conversations being carried out around the pier.
"No seriously she REALLY said that!" The paring closest to her began laughing hysterically. Elizabeth continued walking.
"Aw man Mary packed a tuna sandwich AGAIN. I'm so sick of tuna. I spend all day catching tuna, I don't want to eat it too!"
"Hey at least your woman makes you a lunch. Mine tells me to suffer!"
"Maybe you should grow a pair Matt and tell her its her goddamn job!" Elizabeth shuddered. If Diane were here she would smash the man into the ground for talking about girls that way.
"That crazy Gerard is planning to actually go to the caverns today!" Elizabeth paused when she heard this one, seeing ahead of her two men readying a rather shabby looking fishing boat. She quickly crouched behind a large shipping container hoping to go unnoticed.
"Seriously? That's a death wish!"
"Yeah I heard him saying it last night at that bar. He said he needs the minerals from the caves. That his family depended on the money!"
"Well yeah we all need the money. But that's why we turned to fishing instead."
"At least when we were mining we were back home every night." The first man said sadly. Elizabeth looked at her clenched fists. So whatever was in that cavern was ruining these peoples lives. She looked up at their boat again. It made sense, they probably rushed to get any second hand boat they could when they learned their primary source of income wouldn't work anymore.
"You know we could always try the East tunnel." Another man joined the group. He must have been a miner also. "You know the newest tunnel. They built the entrance through the forest in case of a cave in. Whatever is scaring away the animals isn't in the forest."
"You can try as much as you want but I won't be going anywhere near it. That place is pure evil. I saw a black shadowing mass going in there a few weeks ago just before all this crap started happening" One of the other men finished before trudging up onto the boat. The third man began asking about the forest tunnel while also boarding the boat. Elizabeth panicked, she still needed to know more but all the men were now on the boat. She considered sneaking onto the boat with them, looking at various ways she could get on. 'That's silly Elizabeth! If they catch you they will surely throw you overboard! Not to mention what he would do...' She thought of Meliodas sleeping soundly back at the tavern and blushed slightly. He'd come find her and probably smash the boat. These guys couldn't afford to have their boat smashed.
Oh but she could always just go ask them about the caverns right? She needed to know where the forest entrance was! It was probably their best bet right?
"Ah what do we have here? A little theif?" Elizabeth shrieked as her arm was grabbed. She was aggressively pulled further behind the shipping container. None of the men on board seemed to notice her shriek and now she couldn't see them. "Oh a pretty little thief." Elizabeth wanted to gag. His breath smelled rotten, but also like a strong alcohol. Even Ban didn't drink anything that smelled like this.
"Le-Let go of me!" Elizabeth struggled against him but he held firm. Grabbing her chin roughly with one hand he forced her to look at his face. He had a wrinkled and scared face, the most prominent being a bright pink one across his cheek. His hair was scraggly and long, reaching just past his chin. He was dirty in general like a thief himself. She couldn't see anything on this clothing that indicated his identity.
The man grabbed onto her cloak and quickly ripped it off of her, tossing it to the ground behind him as he pushed her up against the shipping container. He dug his elbow into her shoulder to hold her in place while grabbing her hair in his fist. She tried pushing him away from her but he was too large. He didn't even budge. She started to let out a scream but he quickly covered her mouth with his left hand. He placed his knee high between her legs, effectively trapping her while also pressing his body against hers. She tried to pull his hand away from her face but again it was no use, he was too large. She felt a moment of relief when he moved his elbow from her shoulder, until he used said hand to cup her breast. Tears sprung to her eyes as he roughly squeezed.
She closed her eyes, trying to stop her tears. 'Stop Elizabeth! Enough crying! You can handle yourself!' She thought of what Merlin would do. Or Diane. She didn't have power like either of them though. But, she wasn't dumb either! With resolve she opened her mouth as wide and she could, given his hand over it, and quickly bit down on his hand, managing to get at least two of his fat fingers for sure, maybe even a third. She drew blood, he even tasted gross.
The man cried out, pulling his hand away from her. He paused to examine it while also letting go of her breast. She kicked, hitting the shin of the leg he was standing on. "You bitch!" He reeled back and smacked her across the face. She tasted the blood in her mouth.
The man then grabbed both of her wrists in one hand and held them above her head pulling her up and forcing her to dangle. He was definitely stronger than the average bum. He then tore off her one long sleeve and balled it up shoving it into her mouth. Her eyes watered as she gagged. He had still left her legs free so she kicked his shin again with as much force as she could muster. It didn't even seem to hurt him, in fact he smirked at her. Slowly he lowered his face close to the base of her neck like he was preparing to kiss her. "Sorry honey kicking that leg is a lost cause. Shit, it ain't even real."
Elizabeth continued to squirm hoping to get even the slightest bit of relief but the man just held her wrists tighter almost crushing them. Her eyes darted towards the street when she saw a shadow coming nearby in the light of the rising sun. Elizabeth's cry was muffled as the man noticed and pulled her further from the street by her wrists. She couldn't see the street anymore from between the containers where he held her up again by her pinned wrists. She just hoped someone would see the cloak on the ground.
Tears fell freely from her eyes as the man, now comfortably hidden began to feel her again. 'You are pathetic Elizabeth. Always needing saved.'
Meliodas woke up earlier than usual, hearing the birds chirping outside he rolled on his side looking out the sun had just started to rise leaving the whole room red. Elizabeth was already gone. She must not have wanted him to join her in bed last night after she got so upset with him. Meliodas blinked slowly then stared at the red ceiling. He didn't want to upset her but he knew she wasn't strong enough for this mission. Not if they were up against the Ten Commandments. She couldn't even use her own power. He was serious when he said she didn't need to worry herself with it. He would do the worrying for the both of them. He simply wanted her to be safe. But if he told her that would she want an explanation. Would she ask why her?
Meliodas sighed deeply closing his eyes. Would he have to explain himself to her already? He could smell food cooking, presumably thanks to Ban. It wasn't like him to be up this early. The rest of the group must have been as concerned as he was for todays mission. Meliodas opened his eyes and planted his signature grin on his face. It was only a recon mission, nothing bad would happen today. If the Ten Commandments had been released he would know it by now he was sure. They wouldn't be waiting around for him to show up. He had betrayed them, surly if they were back they would have already come for him.
Meliodas went down the stairs into the tavern finding, sure enough, the sins were in fact awake. Behind the counter Ban was frying up some eggs and bacon while Hawk drooled, despite the fact that it was pig. Merlin and Gowther sat at a table drinking tea. Meliodas could see Diane's wide violet eyes looking in the window chatting with King who sat on the window sill.
"Is Elizabeth still sleeping? I really wanted to talk to her!" Diane said with a light blush crossing her cheeks. Meliodas knew she felt bad for not being there last night.
"Nope she came down long before me. Didn't you guys see her?" The Sins all glanced at each other.
"You probably scared her away! Next time you wake me up to tie you up. You probably did so many things to her when you got up there!" Hawk shuddered at the thought.
Meliodas furrowed his brows looking around for an answer to where she may be.
"I heard her leaving. That's why I came downstairs. I just assumed it was you Captain, figured it was time to prepare for the day. By the time I got down here she was already gone." Gowther said with a bored tone from behind yet another book.
Meliodas met Merlin's concerned look for only a second before running out the door. Ban tore off his apron and fell in step close behind with Hawk bringing up the rear.
"The rest of you stay here in case she comes back!" Hawk shouted behind, pretending as always to be the boss. Diane stood, hoping to get a view of her from the hill they were settled on while King flew high into the air. Merlin went to her study to try and locate her with her magic, while Gowther, still reading his novel, made no attempt to move at all.
"She probably just came into town and got a room for the rest of the night." Ban shrugged. Meliodas knew that wasn't the case. Something felt wrong about that. She would never leave his side, no matter how upset she was. If she wan't to get a room for the night she would have done that when she stormed off last night. She wouldn't have slept in Meliodas' bed still.
The two men followed Hawk as he kept his nose to the ground. Meliodas began recognizing the buildings around him. "Hawk are you sure this is right? Elizabeth and I were here just yesterday."
"Absolutely, her scent is fresh. Smells a bit salty." Hawk answered with confidence as he began to trot quickly.
"Thanks master we are near the ocean." Ban responded sarcastically, though he still jogged along with the two.
"No not like that you idiot! Like... I dunno. Like when You stub your hoof really hard and start to cry!"
Meliodas broke off into a run, his mind immediately assuming the worst. Elizabeth was in danger. The street they were on ended at the waterfront. Hawk skidded to a halt beside him when he paused unsure what direction to go. The pier was busy with fishermen setting up stands of the previous nights catch and others boarding ships to go off for the next week. Meliodas tried listening between them all hoping for a hint. Elizabeth's scent was gone thanks to all the fish so Hawk could no longer direct them.
"Look there Captain!" Ban pointed at a mass of black fabric lying on the ground, barely poking out between two of the shipping containers on the waterfront side of the street.
Meliodas picked up the cloak that he knew belonged to Elizabeth. The spot where it was supposed to be fastened was torn, as if the cloak was ripped away from her. He heard a whisper between the containers, in the darkness and headed down, only to be stopped in his tracks.
Meliodas saw Elizabeth being held by her wrists. A disgusting excuse for a man holding her there while he nuzzled his face in her neck. His free hand was firmly on her ass while he tried grinding himself against her. Her eyes were closed, though that didn't stop the tears from pouring out of them. His heart began beating faster, the heat erupting in his chest.
"Elizabeth!" Hawk shouted and charged full speed into the man, causing him to lose his balance. Meliodas lunged fore ward and punch the man, causing him to crash against the shipping container. Elizabeth, now released, crumpled to the ground. Meliodas breathed deeply but Ban could see his eyes getting darker by the second. People were starting to look between the containers, seeing what the commotion was. Before Meliodas could do anything he would regret Ban lifted the poor excuse for a man easily and threw him over the shipping container into the ocean. The group heard a loud splash and many surprised fisherman asking what had just happened.
"I'm so sorry Sir Hawk! I- I just wanted to help you guys!" Elizabeth cried. Meliodas breathed deeply watching her with sad eyes.
"Y'okay Princess?" Ban asked casually. She nodded, rubbing her wrists. Meliodas, now sure he wouldn't lose control squatted next to Elizabeth, placing a comforting hand on her back. She leaned into him.
"Thanks for always saving me." She mumbled under her breath. "I just- I just wanted to be helpful and be a part of the team." She began crying all over again. Meliodas pulled her into him and lifted her bridal style.
"You are a part of the team Elizabeth!" Hawk chimed in as they began walking back to the streets of Bowerstone.
Elizabeth looked up at Meliodas but he didn't look back at her. He stared straight ahead as they walked through the streets. She rested her head on his shoulder sobbing softly. She felt so useless.
Meliodas felt her body shaking with the little sobs and held her tighter. He wasn't there. Yet again he wasn't there to protect her and now... He couldn't even think of what that man would have done. If it wasn't for Ban Meliodas would have torn that man to pieces. The man very well may have deserved it but still. They saw the man being taken away by the knights of Bowerstone, at least he would be locked up. Meliodas looked over at Ban who walked along with his hands behind his head.
"Why don't you guys go ahead tell them that she is okay." Meliodas suggested. "tell them we will move on tomorrow. Tonight we relax." Elizabeth's eyes widened. Now she was holding up the journey too. Ban nodded in understanding, continuing on with Hawk, who protested making comments about the things Meliodas would do to her. Ban just shushed him. Meliodas wouldn't dream of touching her that was right now. Not with what just happened.
"Do you want to walk for a bit?" Meliodas asked quietly once the other two were out of earshot.
Elizabeth nodded and slowly touched her feet to the ground. Meliodas had take them out of the town but rather than head to the Boar Hat then were walking the dirt roads around the farms. She grabbed her wrists and started rubbing them. The dark bruises already appearing. No matter how much she tried she couldn't figure out how to heal the bruising. Meliodas took one of her hands, examining the wrist. Just as fast he let go of the wrist and started walking. He sighed deeply as she fell into step beside him. "I'm sorry." He muttered.
Elizabeth's eyes widened. What did Meliodas have to be sorry for? "N- No Sir Meliodas, I'm sorry! I- I shouldn't have walked out on you guys last night and took off without telling anyone today!" she blushed lightly.
Meliodas smiled at her. "You had every right to be upset with me. You are a part of the team Elizabeth, I shouldn't be keeping things from you." He stopped walking and looked directly at her, catching her gaze. He could tell she was surprised. "I'll tell you anything you want to know. Anything. Since you aren't a part of the Seven Deadly Sins, and didn't make that original pact with us, you don't have to follow those laws." Meliodas took a deep breath, readying himself. He wanted Elizabeth to stay by his side. He wanted her to understand how much she meant to him and why he wouldn't be letting her out of his sight every again. Even if she hated him in the end.
"You can ask me about my Sin."
