She glared at him, "I told you so," reflected in her eyes.
He caught her glare and smirked haughtily while trying to fend off the grimy bandits. "Then YOU think of something! I'm a little busy!"
She continued to glare at him as the overbearing oaf tightened his grip on her. "Let go of me!" she wanted to scream, but didn't dare move her mouth because of the horrible rag. If she even tried to move her head, the taste of the cloth would forever remain with her. And Selenity didn't even want to think where the disgusting piece of trash had been.
One man, obviously the leader, pushed them along the path, keeping his dagger in sight so the two trespassers wouldn't get any ideas. "Take the knight and the wench up to the camp." Selenity's eyes blazed. How dare this grungy man call her such a crude name! The fury raged within her and before anyone could stop her, her foot shot out and fiercely kicked the bandit in the shin.
Shocked, surprised, and certainly in pain, the man howled loudly, clutching his injured leg. The other men gathered around their leader, leaving Endymion and Selenity briefly unguarded. She smiled inwardly. This was their chance. But before she could even make her way over to Endymion, one of the men grabbed her arms and held her back. She gave a small sigh of defeat.
Still clutching his sore leg, the leader hobbled over to her, staring at her intently. "You're rather feisty, wench. I like that in a woman," he sneered, tracing the outline of her face with a dirty hand. Turning back to his comrades, the man yelled, "We're still taking them to the camp. Bind this one tightly," he motioned at Selenity. "Especially her feet."
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Call It Destiny
by Sailor Elysia and Eternal Angel
ely_chan@yahoo.com, stargazing12@hotmail.com
Chapter 4
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Selenity winced as the thick rope dug into her ankles. Endymion sat beside her, eyes shut and brow furrowed in deep concentration. She didn't understand why he hadn't been gagged or tied up, but then again, she had been the one to resist the most. Suddenly this morning seemed so far away, just a short time ago when they were free to go their own way.
Leaning her head against the cold side of the large rock, tears started to trickle down Selenity's cheeks. Endymion rescued her from the previous kidnapper only a few days ago. And here they were again, stuck in the same mess. Were they doomed to live their lives like this forever?
"Don't cry, Princess," came a sort whisper. "I know you're frightened, but we'll find a way out of this, I promise." Endymion retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and brushed away Selenity's tears. With a small smile, he said, "Let's see what we can do about doing away with that horrible cloth."
'He must care for me in some small amount... or else he wouldn't be acting this way towards me...' Selenity forced the rest of her tears to stay hidden. 'This is no time for me to act like a sentimental child... I need to be strong... my heart will have to come later.'
As Endymion reached over to remove the gag from Selenity's mouth, a dagger suddenly appeared against his throat. "What do you think you're doing?" the raspy voice said from behind. Endymion thought fast. "The lady is parched. I was only helping her to get a drink. Surely you cannot refuse her that."
The bandit didn't relax his grip on the knife. "And why should I trust you? The moment I turn my back, you're going to try to escape." Endymion shrugged. "You're right. You have no reason to trust me. But I will not leave without the lady. You have my word on that."
The bandit raised his eyebrow, and then looked from the blonde back to the knight. "Go, get that water you spoke of, but know this, if you dare run away..." The dagger moved from Endymion's throat to Selenity. "Hear this, I have no qualms about killing women."
Endymion's eyes met Selenity's and nodded. "I'll go now."
Selenity watched him leave her, as the bandit slowly eased his hold against her. "My master wishes to speak with you, urgently, come." He yanked the cloth away from her mouth, and she gulped the fresh air.
He pushed her towards the main tent as she continued to gaze at the retreating form of the knight. "What about him?" She asked the bandit.
"My master wishes to speak to you, alone."
'Endymion... stay safe...' She closed her eyes and let herself be led away into the darkness of the tent.
******
Endymion found the river easily and filled his canteen with water after drinking his fair share of it. He sighed, wondering what was going to become of them with this new turn of events. Time was slowly closing in on them with this abduction, and soon the Sylathian soldiers would catch up with them and...
He closed his eyes tightly.
There was something she wasn't telling him, something that she was hiding...
But what was it?
'You're dwindling,' the voice inside of his head scolded at him, causing him to stand up quickly from his crouching position, his eyes still mesmerized at the beautiful river that sparkled before him.
"No matter what happens in the future, I will protect you princess... I promise..."
He slowly retreated back into the thickness of the forest and back to the campsite.
******
"So you're as beautiful as they say you are," a voice greeted her as she stood in the middle of the tent, causing her to look towards the tall man who appeared from the shadows. He was a good-looking man, she noted, his hair was long silky dark chestnut and his misty emerald eyes. Actually, he was far from good-looking, more like drop dead gorgeous. With those looks, he could make one's heart stop. He walked towards her, motioning the other man to leave at the same time. But no matter how handsome he was he could never compare to...
She frowned. 'There's no time for little petty thoughts, think about what's happening right now...'
"What do you want?" she asked firmly. He stood right in front of her now, his hand slowly brushing against her arm.
"What I want..." he slowly trailed his fingertips up her arms in a gentle caress, "Is...what every man wants from a beautiful woman."
He leaned closer to her, his breath warm against her cheek. She closed her eyes tightly, "You can do whatever you like to me, just make sure you leave him alone..."
"Your knight has wandered off in search of water. Far enough that he won't be able to come to your rescue in time should you be in danger."
******
He knew something was wrong when he set his foot back into the camp. Something was...
'Selenity...' He looked around, his eyes trying to catch site of the blonde hair sprite but he couldn't find her...
He felt his chest become tight.
"Selenity..." he called out her name, but there was no answer. He couldn't help but find his breathing become heavy and hard.
"Selenity?!"
His eyes caught sight of the bandit that he had seen her with. Running towards him, his hand grabbed the man's shirt and lifted him up. His eyes were mad and vicious as he gasped out, "Where is the girl?"
The man tried to escape from his position.
"Where IS SHE??"
"Let me down! She's with the master! In that tent right over there!"
Endymion dropped him roughly and raced towards the tent. "Selenity!" he yelled hoarsely, hoping to get to her before it was too late.
'Too late for what? It's not like you actually care for the girl.' Endymion growled at the tricks his mind was trying to play on him. He didn't know what he felt, but he had a duty to fulfill and a loyalty to the king of Avaria.
'And you'd rather die than betray her...'
He barged into the tent, much to the surprise of the man and the relief of the lady. "Get your filthy hands off her!" he seethed, ready to strangle the thief.
"Is that a threat, knight? What would you do if I were to do this?" the bandit smirked, lowering his face to Selenity's neck. She whimpered softly, unable to wipe the tears trailing down her face.
"Get away from her NOW!" Endymion bellowed, wrenching Selenity out of the dirty man's grasp. He held the princess close to him, her trembling figure making him angrier by the minute.
"But you have no claim to her, knight," the man countered. "Just because you are her traveling companion is not enough. You are in my camp and my territory now, therefore, she belongs to me."
Selenity's eyes widened. Was this truly how things were in the world outside her own? She buried her face deep into the folds of Endymion's cloak. Instinctively his arms closed around her. "You're wrong. I do have claim to her."
The bandit raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Then do be so kind as to tell me what that is, fearless knight," he said sarcastically.
Endymion looked away briefly, at a sudden loss for words. How could he get both of them out of here safely and still make the bandit believe him?
'So be it... this is the only way.'
He looked up and met the man's penetrating gaze.
"She is my wife."
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Well, I think everything is going well for them! Don't you think so? I mean, so they got kidnapped once again... It isn't as if we planned this to happen... (whispers to lyssa) did we? Anyway, comments would be well appreciated and so would some sanity! (grins)
*Ely hides diabolical master plan behind her back* no, we didn't mean for them to get into trouble again... not at all. Who knows what Endymion has up his sleeve?
FEEEEDBACK! You know you want to.
CP: stargazing12@hotmail.com
Ely: ely_chan@yahoo.com