Disclaimer: I do not own Dracula. I am not profiting from this story in any way other than my enjoyment.
A/N: From the wonderful responses so far I was inspired to continue. Hope you enjoy!
As sunset approached he rose from his tomb, another long evening of hunting is ahead of the dark lord. Vlad Tepes Dracula, the oldest vampire known to live, the son of the very devil according to some. A formidable aura around him, dark power exuding from his very being. He walked slowly out on the balcony, it sat empty whenever the sun shined. Then again most of his home had been empty for some time. He looked out over his kingdom...thirsting... starving... desiring…
A thought came to the ancient vampire, "Will she be out again? The one without fear... the one I watch but I have never hunted. She amuses me…"
With that he slunk back into his home, preparing for the long night ahead. He very well might have plans for the little minx who seemed to mock him with her very presence in his forest. Within moments he had returned to the balcony changing into a large bat like creature, the only description possible, hell beast. Flying off into the night, a phantom in the air. The Count then flew over the familiar woods trying to sense her presence.
With an almost hiss of delight, "I can smell her, she is here," he then continued his inner monologue, I tire of hunting animals, I need human blood...but for some reason, her...she...I cannot bring myself to take her... why is she not afraid?
Vlad snorted with annoyance, The villagers all make themselves scarce, hiding in well lit rooms and dark, dirt walled basements... but this one... this one gathers herbs and mushrooms night after night.
Meanwhile down below, Morriquine was still settled against her rock, she smiled into her book, now reading the tale of 'The Little Mermaid'. She eventually nodded off, her head falling into her book, dreaming of faeries, mermaids, and magical kingdoms... not at all literature for a grown woman, but fair Morri didn't care. The young girl remained vulnerable in her dreaming state, the villagers would have fits if they knew.
Vladislaus landed in the dense forest, walking through the trees sniffing the air following her sweet mortal scent. He smiled, she is close...very close. And the nearer he got he could sense an aura of peace emanating from her. Purposefully silent Count Dracula approached the clearing he had often spotted her in, as he entered he found her sleeping against a boulder, familiar book in hand.
She had wrapped her cloak around herself, using the green velvet as a mock blanket, she sighed softly, the sound too delicate to be a snore. Her long auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, and spilled out of the hood.
Observing her innocent movements, he perched on the rock, his hunger temporarily satisfied by the unlucky animals he came upon in the forest, his dark clothing rendering him near invisible in the night. Black hair shining in the moonlight, he continued to watch her regarding her vulnerable form.
Morriquinne shifted in her sleep, as if squirming under Prince Vlad's intent gaze, dropping her book. The sound of the large volume hitting the ground stirred the young woman, and she sat up blinking groggily, yawning she stretched unaware of the figure observing her from behind.
Chiding herself for sleeping she spoke out loud, the dark prince had never heard her voice before, " Morri, are you determined to have the villagers burn you as a witch?" with that she rose gathering her basket and discarded book.
"Hello child" Count Vlad greeted, hoping for some reason not to startle the maiden before him, but knew he will.
She squeaked, jumping in surprise dropping her items, eyes wide, whirling she turned seeing the Count sitting there. Morri put her hand to her heart breathing a deep sigh of relief.
She then responded crossly, put off with being snuck up on, "You scared me to death! You should be ashamed of yourself, sneaking up on a person like that!" she glared at the vampire intensely.
Vlad was shocked at Morriquine's nerve, and answered back, "You don't know who I am do you? You haven't heard the stories?" taken totally aback by her intensity and fearlessness for the first time in his nearly 400 year old life, Count Vlad Tepes Dracula was at a complete loss for words.
"I don't care who you are... and if you are implying you are the count of those silly legends, I have less to fear than I originally thought," she laughed to herself and began to leave.
"STOP!" Dracula commanded her, "Or it will mean the end of your young life, here and now. I have spared you because you interest me. You may not be afraid but certainly you are no fool."
The fearless young woman turned, green eyes blazing in the moonlight, "End my life?... You are sadly mistaken, sir."
He stepped towards her, menace in his gait, baring his pure white fangs, "You don't want to try me young lady. It has been a long time since I have tasted human blood. Now sit down, put your basket of, " he released a snicker "mushrooms down, and do as you are told for a moment"
Morriquine's eyes flashed as she saw the Count's fangs glisten in the moonlight, she then dropped her basket but instead of sitting as commanded she bolted in the opposite direction, cloak flying behind her, her hood having fallen her hair flew, a mass of auburn curls wild in her retreat. Almost instantly Vlad appeared before her, momentarily she could see a wild look in his eyes, as she ran right into his arms making contact with his cold skin for the first time. She cried out pushing backwards against the tall vampire, unable to break away. She then pummeled his masculine chest with her fists.
"LET ME GO!"
He stood unmoved, unaffected by her blows, "I am ready to let you go miss... but you will stand still, remain quiet, and speak in hushed tones only when asked, can you agree to that?"
Slowing her struggles, she glared angrily at her captor, hissing between gritted teeth, "How can I trust you will release me?"
He chuckled, "Very Simply, you cannot. But, you do have two choices... do as I say now, or die. Now choose."
The fiery maiden was tempted to spit in his porcelain face, but quickly thought better of it and quieted her struggles to a stop, "FINE! Have it your way."
He then stepped back releasing her, certain she will not run this time, "Now my dear, we shall talk. Who are you? What are you doing out here in the forest night after night all alone. Why do you not fear me as the others do?"
"First of all, I am Morriquinne Aidwren. Secondly, I gather herbs and mushrooms, my father is ill and we need the money and the medicine they provide. And finally, up until a few moments ago, I did not believe in you, I am still tempted to believe you are just a bad dream brought on by my books"
Dracula stepped towards her, once again baring his fangs, "Trust me Miss Aidwren, I am no dream, and how do you explain the 17 villagers that disappeared last year alone? Did you think that was a dream too?"
"Or stupidity on their part!", she snapped not flinching as he bared his fangs, "I have seen how they act, spooked by a twig snapping. I have even seen some jump off roofs in efforts to escape some false danger," she laughed bitterly, "So I assumed the 17 had lost themselves of their own folly"
He laughed in disbelief, "17 villagers lost through stupidity. You are a naive one aren't you?"
She drew her hand back to slap him but stopped glaring "At least I am not a coward!"
"Fear versus cowardice... two different things my dear. Do I need to teach you the difference? I have been watching you for weeks, curious as to your lack of fear... interested, and intrigued"
"You will teach me nothing for I have answered my questions, now release me as you promised," Morri placed her hands on her hips a moment of pure challenge.
"Promised? I do not recall promising anything. However... if you truly desire to be released then go. But I have my suspicions that your desires lie elsewhere."
"Then you suspect wrong!" with that Morri turned, heading back toward her basket, and leather book, giving the count an icy glare over her shoulder.
"Fine" he whispered, the fair girl was surprised that from a distance of 10 feet away that she could hear his voice, "I've been searching for you for 4 centuries, another night won't vex me. It is getting close to sunup anyway"
She whirled, "Searching for me!" but when she turned, she saw nothing.
A/N: There you go Chapter Two considerably longer than the first. I hope you have enjoyed. Please R&R. Many Thanks Morriquinne