A/N: disclaimer: same bs
Anika felt the winds of a strong storm rustle her hair gently as she stood atop the battlements of Hadrian's Wall, looking out over the large field that ended with a thick forest. Even in the darkness, her sharp eyes could see clearly as the thick gray clouds tousled in the night sky. The smell of rain was thick in the air but didn't stop the inhabitants of the Wall as they still bustled about through the torch-lit streets.
A sharp white light flashed in the form of lightning, thunder rumbling deep close behind. Anika gasped a little at the sudden shock and held a hand to her racing heart. Though she did not fear them, she could never get used to the unpredictability of storms.
"Keep your heart strong and you will fear nothing, Anika. I promise you."
The fire-eater looked around quickly, searching for the voice she just heard. There were a few Roman guards posted on the garrison but none were close enough that if they spoke she would hear them. Besides, the voice had been feminine, with a sing-song lilt, and so familiar.
Lightning flashed white in front of Anika's eyes but once it faded, she found herself standing in a golden field of wheat, the sun's warm rays beating down on her face. A little girl of 5 years was giggling as she chased a woman around in the field. Her hair was long and black, held up in cute little pigtails, while her thin body was covered merely by a large brown shirt, so big on her it was much more like a dress. Her feet were bare and padded lightly on the ground, leaving a trail in the wheat behind her.
The woman, however, was tall and lean with muscle, long, curly blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, bright green eyes twinkling as she laughed and tried to stay out of reach of the child. She was dressed in a simple maiden's dress of light green, her feet also bare as she trod around, scars clearly visible on her bare arms.
In the distance, Anika could see a small village, bustling with villagers and laborers, busy with their daily lives. The woman squealed, drawing the fire-eaters attention once again as she fell back amongst the golden wheat, letting the small girl tackle her and jump on her.
Anika wished so desperately to move or speak but found she couldn't. The little girl laid her head on the woman's bosom as the blonde began to hum a sweet little tune that Anika knew from heart. It was the song her mother once hummed to her to put her to sleep. The little girl's green eyes closed slowly as the woman hummed and soon she was fast asleep.
The woman lifted the girl before laying her in the golden wheat and brushing a few strands of dark hair behind the sleeping girl's ear. Still, she continued to hum as she smiled at her. Leaning down, she placed a gentle kiss to the tattoo on the inside of the girl's wrist. "Sleep my daughter. Gather your strength," the woman whispered, "for some day, you will be great..."
The woman's head turned and Anika felt her breath catch in her throat as her green eyes met the fire-eaters.
Anika gasped loudly as a touch on her shoulder brought her back from deep in her mind. Turning sharply, she met eyes of silver, filled with a slight worry and concern.
The scarred giant took his hand off her shoulder but still watched the fire-eater as she looked quickly around as if just not realizing where she was.
The haziness of the memory faded and Anika met the man's gaze again before she muttered, "Yes?"
He watched her for a moment more before he finally spoke, voice deep and mostly monotone. "I saw you standing up here alone and came to see what you were starring so intensely at. You were starring into the distance and your eyes were clouded as if you were many miles away. I tried to get your attention but you didn't respond." He paused, eyes meeting hers sternly. "I was worried that something was wrong."
Anika starred at him for a minute or two, eyes softening by his concern. "I'm quite alright, just a little lost in my own mind." She shook her head a little as she chuckled dryly. "I'm afraid I'm a bit mad this moment." She looked up again and sucked in a breath. He was still watching her, silver eyes more intense than ever.
Anika forced her eyes away, looking instead out at the field once again. Only when he followed her gaze did she dare to glance back at him.
He was tall, at least 6'2, a full four inches taller than Anika at 5'8. His shoulders were broad and set straight, his chest and stomach flat, his hips lean. Though he was thoroughly muscled, his tunic and trousers still fit loosely on his body. His hair was cropped short to his head and his jaw was stubbled, but Anika found these things ruggedly attractive on him. Once again, her eyes set upon the cruel scar on his face and she found her eyes tracing it, wondering how he had gotten such a thing.
His body suddenly tensed and Anika's eyes widened when she realized her fingers had begun to do what her eyes had been, sliding gently up and down the scar on his face. Quick, like his face was red hot steel, she pulled her hand away and clasped it to the other behind her back. Her cheeks grew red as he turned his eyes back to her, confusion swirling in his silver orbs.
Anika stuttered a bit, dropping her eyes to the ground before she finally managed to mutter, "I'm so sorry…" He didn't say a word as he continued to watch her.
Only after a few minutes of awkward silence did the fire-eater find the nerve to speak again. "I am called Anika. May I ask of your name, sir knight?" She met his eyes and saw they flashed with a gentle kindness only for a second before returning to a cold hardness again.
"Dagonet," he muttered. Anika rolled the name around in her head. It was a good, strong name. He interrupted her thoughts as he spoke again, tone touched with a light kindness. "There is no need for such formalities as sir, fire-eater."
Anika smiled a little as she nodded. She was pleased by what he called her, though it was not her name. If he wants to call me that, she thought, I don't think I would mind at all.
His gaze was sharply pulled from hers at the clatter of metal against stone. Anika's eyes shot towards the battlements and set upon the claw of a hook. Her mind took a minute to realize there was rope tied to it and was suddenly pulled taut as weight was put on it. Her eyes widened and she turned to Dagonet, seeing recognition flash through his eyes as well.
Three more hooks flung over the battlements and caught, ropes pulling tight. A man with blue skin suddenly jumped over the battlement near the first and in a flash, Dagonet had his large sword out, holding off the blue demon's axe attacks as it let out a battle cry. Anika felt her muscles tense as the knight met her gaze.
"Woads!" he shouted as more blue men climbed over the battlements onto the wall. Anika felt the heavy weight of a body slam against her and she fell back against the wall opposite the battlements. A flash of silver in the lightning's white light made her duck the swing of a sharp blade before she drew a dagger and plunged it into the man's chest. Warm blood coated her fingers as she turned and saw the blue demons growing in number on the garrison. The Roman guards rushed over and fought them off the best they could.
Anika looked to Dagonet as he slew a man with once strong slash and met his eyes. He nodded to her and Anika knew then she was going to fight and kill most of the night away. But most of all, that her life would never be the same after that night.
A/N: took me a lil longer to come up with the idea of what happened than i thought. was origionally gona do one thing but changed it. it started with a lil spark of an idea and then it just flowed from my fingers when i started typing. i love it when that happens. i just slip into that little world and live it myself. :) anyway, sorry it took a lil while. free lifetime of ale to microcheese and Sadie Hyde for the reviews. and uber thanks to Sadie Hyde for the ideas and input! though you dont do much but R&R, i would love to get in touch with you! i could use someone to bounce ideas off and fangirl babble about hot guy characters with. if you're interested, PM me plz! thanks! R&R!