Heulwen gasped painfully as she was thrown to the frosted ground in a bloody heap. Dark spots danced around her vision as she struggled to stay conscious. She could faintly feel the side of her stomach being kicked repeatedly. The frozen ground bit into her skin, making it goes numb and cold.
"Get up you samation whore!" The rough throaty voice growled, as Heulwen was picked up by her hair and pulled into the face of the Saxon.
Her breathing became even raspier as she gazed into his black beady eyes.
This is the end, I'm going to die.
Heulwen felt the string of tears began to fill in her eyes as she let them roll freely down face. The Saxon smiled viciously, showing his rotten wasted teeth as he adjusted his grip from her pale bonde hair to her neck, and pulled her closer to him.
Suddenly, the sound of distant voices reached her ears, as an arrow flew past her and embedded itself into the Saxon's neck.
Heulwen's eyes grew wider as she stared at the dying Saxon, he coughed blood that steeped through his mouth, and feel backwards, bring her down with him.
She could barely move, paralyzed by shock and her injuries. She heard the few Saxons that were by the camp shouting orders, and trying to fend off their new enemy. Heulwan was numb inside and out, the sounds of battle muted by thoughts. The dead Saxon under her lay unmoving; his shocked black eyes staring at the grey sky.
With all her effort, she rolled off the Saxon, and onto her back in the snow covered ground. Light frosted snow had begun to fall, sticking to her hair and eyelashes. Another arrow whizzed past her, landing into the last Saxon, killing him. The sounds of battle ended, and voices were coming closer, though they seemed foggy to her. Her clear silver blue eyes stared up at the heavens, blinking away the snow and praying she would live to see tomorrow.
I want to go home. I want to see my mother again. I'll never see her again…
More tears rolled down Heulwen's face as she stared at the snowing sky. Even in a moment like this, it was so beautiful. The white snow reminded her of her mother, who always wore a white dress that blew in the breeze every time she walked.
She was vaguely aware of voices of men, as they huddled around her, talking quietly, in hushed tones. The last thing she remembered was being lifted from the cold ground, into warm comforting arms, before she lost consciousness.
"No, let me go!" She screamed with all her might as the filthy Saxon's hands ran over her body. He laughed, and continued further until he reached the hem of her dirt covered dress. The fellow Saxons standing around them chanted, laughing with each other as they toyed with her innocence. Heulwen cried uncontrollably as she struggled to push the dirty Saxon off of her, determined not to be used for their pleasure.
"Stop struggling. Or I'll cut off your tongue", he hissed as he tore the bottom of her dress in half. The chanting grew louder, as he pushed himself into her, earning a strangled cry from the girl.
She wanted it to stop, this shouldn't be happening, not to her, not to anybody. Heulwen tried to block the feeling of him inside of her as she thought about home, of her mother, father, her little sister.
The sound of her little sister's laugh echoed in her head, far away, back in the hot days of summer. Her mothers smooth gentle hands as she brushed Heulwan's hair, or bathed her when she was little. Her father's reassuring voice, or his strong hugs, that always cheered her up. She tried to think of anything, anything besides what was happening to her now.
Another scream erupted from her throat as the Saxon got off her, and kicked her hard in the face.
Strong arms pushed her shoulders back gently, down into the covers. Heulwen fought against the arms holding her down, whimpers coming from her.
" Ssssh, I won't hurt you little one, please lay down. It was a dream". A deep soft voice soothed as she was gently pushed down again. Heulwen resisted, but she didn't have the strength anymore. She stopped fighting and slumped back down on the soft wool covers. Heulwen willed her eyes to open, but they couldn't, she was so tired, and weak.
" Just sleep little one, they are gone, gone from here", the voice soothed again, whoever it belonged to, she didn't know, but she rested anyways, for it sounded honest enough.
She awoke hours later, feeling the warmth of a fire somewhere close by, and she heard quiet voices talking off into the distance.
" Arthur, I think she's awake", a voice said suddenly, sounded anxious and hopeful. The sound of more hushed voices followed, as Heulwen struggled to open her eyes, and she finally did.
It was blurry at first, but then she made out the sky, it was nighttime, and stars littered the sky in their usual brightness, bring hope to her.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
Heulwen flinched slightly at the sound of a voice next to her. She tilted her head to the right, to see a tall man looking at her with concerned eyes. He wasn't a Saxon that she was sure off. The man wore roman armor, but not everything about him was roman. She watched him through glazed eyes as he smiled reassuringly at her and pulled her blankets up further. His eyes were so gentle, and green, filled with honestly and trust. Heulwan found herself relaxing a little, if not completely, after all, he was still a stranger.
"I am Arthur Castus, leader of the samation knights, rest now, you are safe", he said as if on cue. Another man appeared behind, with dark curly hair and eyes.
"How is she?" he said softly, looking at Heulwan as he spoke in a thick samation accent.
Heulwen's eyes widened at the sight of the new man. This one looked more dangerous, and mysterious, she felt herself shaking again, and she gave another whimper as she tore her gaze from the man to the heavens, wishing she was home again, away from all these men and strangers.
" Ssssh Lancelot, you frightened her. She is burning with fever, go and get Dagonet". Arthur said in a hushed voice as he looked at Heulwen with concern.
Lancelot nodded and left, leaving Arthur to turn back to the frightened girl.
"Do not worry, we will not harm you. You have my word, Dagonet our healer has seen to your wounds. There is not much damage, but straining yourself will make it worse." Arthur paused, to see if Heulwen was conscious enough to take in what he was saying. Slowly, she turned her eyes to him, her eyes filled with fear, and trust at the same time.
"You have 2 broken ribs, and a dislocated shoulder, Dagonet believes your other wound may lie elsewhere". He continued, his eyes pleading her to trust him.
Heulwen slowly took in what he was saying, she might have a wound in her most private places, and she shuddered at the thought of, and of someone healing her there. Out of everything her mother has taught her, respecting herself and her body was the one that was most important to her. Heulwen's eyes filled with tears again, as she turned to Arthur. She'd heard about him before, a great leader of knights. Slowly, she nodded her head, she needed to trust this man, and his healer if she wanted to live.
Arthur gave her a relieved smile, as he soothed her hair with one hand. Footsteps were heard behind them, as a large man walked up, and knelt down beside Arthur.
" This is Dagonet, I trust him with my life, and with the life of all my knights, he will see to your wounds". Arthur said slowly, looking at Heulwen as he spoke.
Heulwen turned her gaze from Arthur to the healer named Dagonet. He looked gentle and trustful like Arthur, if not even more. Heulwen swallowed slowly, as she nodded her head, and blinked away her tears.
The healer smiled gently at her, and sat down next to her, covering her from the campfire that lay not far away, with knights surrounding it, talking quietly.
Arthur gave her one more reassuring smile as he nodded at Dagonet and left for the campfire.
"You need not fear me little one" Dagonet said as he poured water into a bowl and placed a cool damp cloth on her burning forehead.
Heulwen nodded faintly, and watched his face as he checked on her bandaged wounds. He looked like a giant , but he was so gentle, and his face was kind and sad as he adjusted her dislocated shoulder.
Dagonet lifted the cloth that covered her lower half, and Heulwen bit her lip, as she tore her gaze away form the healer, and at the stars.
Soon it was over, and he covered her up in the furs and blankets again. Heulwen sighed mentally in relief, as sleepiness washed over her. Dagonet smiled down at the girl, as patted her head and turned back to get Arthur.
"Good girl", he soothed as he stood up and walked over to the campfire.
The stars were bright tonight, and Heulwen knew she could trust these men. The stars reminded her of the knights in a way, bright, and always leading the way. As she gazed upon the heavens, she knew her family would be gazing at the same stars she was looking at now.
And then she knew, one day, they would meet again.
Thank you to all my reviwers! You don't know how much it means to me, it really makes my day!
Sorry I don't have time to reply to your reviews individually, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it even made me cry a little bit when I was writing it. Hehehe..
Heulwen- Light from the sun
Once again, thank you for the reviews. This chapter was a dark one, but the next one will be more joyful. Keep reading, I love you all!
